By Solis of Cameron                                   H.B. No. 1119
         76R1326 CMR-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the purposes of the State Bar of Texas.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 81.012, Government Code, is amended to
 1-5     read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 81.012.  PURPOSES. In order that the public
 1-7     responsibilities of the legal profession may be more effectively
 1-8     discharged, the state bar has the following purposes:
 1-9                 (1)  to aid the courts in carrying on and improving the
1-10     administration of justice;
1-11                 (2)  to advance the quality of legal services to the
1-12     public and to foster the role of the legal profession in serving
1-13     the public;
1-14                 (3)  to foster and maintain on the part of those
1-15     engaged in the practice of law high ideals and integrity, learning,
1-16     competence in public service, and high standards of conduct;
1-17                 (4)  to provide proper professional services to the
1-18     members of the state bar;
1-19                 (5)  to encourage the formation of and activities of
1-20     local bar associations;
1-21                 (6)  to provide forums for the discussion of subjects
1-22     pertaining to the practice of law, the science of jurisprudence and
1-23     law reform, and the relationship of the state bar to the public;
1-24     [and]
 2-1                 (7)  to publish information relating to the subjects
 2-2     listed in Subdivision (6); and
 2-3                 (8)  to encourage diversity among the membership of the
 2-4     state bar that reflects the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of
 2-5     this state.
 2-6           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-7     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-8     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-9     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-10     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-11     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-12     passage, and it is so enacted.