C.S.H.B. 3520 78 )    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 3520
By: Lewis
County Affairs
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, local bail bond boards are allowed to regulate criminal defense
attorneys who write bonds. These bail bond boards are composed of 12
members, none of which is a criminal defense attorney.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Section 1 amends Section 1704.053 of the Occupations Code by adding (13)
to include in the composition of a county bail bond board, a criminal
defense attorney practicing in the county the board has jurisdiction over.
The substitute states that the attorney on the board would be elected by
other attorneys whose principal place of business is located in the county
and are not legally prohibited from representing criminal defendants. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon Passage, of if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.  


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The committee substitute includes language stating that a criminal defense
attorney is elected by other attorneys whose principal place of business
is located in the county and who are not legally prohibited from
representing criminal defendants.