HBA-BSM C.S.H.B. 3325 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 3325
By: Solomons
Judicial Affairs
4/6/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There has been some concern regarding the multidisciplinary practice of law
and the need to make changes to the scope of the practice.  C.S.H.B. 3325
allows out of state lawyers to practice law in Texas. 

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

C.S.H.B. 3325 amends the Government Code to provide that rules of the
Supreme Court of Texas or the State Bar of Texas adopted on or after the
effective date of these provisions regarding procedures for the practice of
law in this state by an attorney licensed in another jurisdiction may not
take effect until the earlier of the day of final adjournment of the first
regular session of the legislature convened on or after the date the rules
are adopted or the day of final adjournment of the first special session of
the legislature called on or after the effective date of these provisions
and the date the rules are adopted. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3325 modifies the original by prohibiting rules of the Supreme
Court of Texas or the State Bar of Texas from taking effect earlier than
the first regular session of the legislature, rather than the 78th
Legislative Session, convened on or after the effective date of these
provisions and the date the rules are adopted.  The substitute also
includes that rules of the  state bar  adopted on or after the effective
date regarding procedures for the practice of law in this state by an
attorney licensed in another jurisdiction may take effect only as provided
by similar rules adopted by the supreme court.