HBA-KDB H.B. 1715 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1715
By: Thompson
Judicial Affairs
3/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There is concern that  constitutional county judges in smaller counties may
need to supplement their income because of their relatively small salaries.
If such a judge is a licensed attorney, then the judge may be able to
practice law to earn more income.   However, it is not clear as to whether
such a judge may practice law in courts where the judge has no
jurisdiction.  House Bill 1715 authorizes a constitutional county judge who
is licensed to practice law in this state to engage in the private practice
of law in a court where the judge has no jurisdiction. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1715 amends the Government Code to authorize a constitutional
county judge (judge) who is licensed to practice law in this state to
engage in the private practice of law.  The bill prohibits the judge from
appearing or pleading as an attorney in the judge's court or in any court
in this state over which the judge's court exercises appellate
jurisdiction. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.