SRC-TAG H.B. 3520 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3520 By: Lewis (Hinojosa) Criminal Justice 5/23/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, local bail bond boards are allowed to regulate criminal defense attorneys who write bonds. A bail bond board is composed of 12 members, none of whom is required to be a criminal defense attorney. H.B. 3520 adds a 13th member to the required composition of a bail bond board and requires that member to be a criminal defense attorney. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 1704.053, Occupations Code, to require a county bail bond board (board) to consist of certain individuals, including a criminal defense attorney practicing in the county and elected by other attorneys whose principal place of business is located in the county and who are not legally prohibited from representing criminal defendants. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.