By Lewis of Tarrant H.B. No. 1767 76R10216 SMJ-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the legal representation of county officials and 1-3 employees by district and county attorneys. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 157, Local Government Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 157.9015 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 157.9015. REPRESENTATION PERMITTED WITHOUT CONFLICT OF 1-8 INTEREST. (a) It is not a conflict of interest for a district or 1-9 county attorney under Section 157.901 to defend a county or a 1-10 county official or employee sued by another county official or 1-11 employee and also to advise or represent the opposing party on a 1-12 separate matter arising from the performance of a public duty, 1-13 regardless of whether the attorney gives the advice or 1-14 representation to the opposing party before the suit began or while 1-15 the suit is pending. 1-16 (b) If practicable, the district or county attorney shall 1-17 assign a different attorney to defend the county or a county 1-18 official or employee under this section than the attorney assigned 1-19 to advise or represent the opposing party on a separate matter. 1-20 (c) This section does not require a district or county 1-21 attorney to represent a county official or employee who brings a 1-22 suit against the county or another county official or employee for 1-23 an action arising from the performance of a public duty. 1-24 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-5 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-6 passage, and it is so enacted.