By:  Lewis, Hughes                                                H.B. No. 1716



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to conflicts of interest of certain local public officials 
engaged in the practice of law.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 171, Local Government Code, is amended 
by adding Section 171.010 to read as follows:
	Sec. 171.010.  PRACTICE OF LAW.  (a)  For purposes of this 
chapter, a county judge or county commissioner engaged in the 
private practice of law has a substantial interest in a business 
entity if the official has entered a court appearance or signed 
court pleadings in a matter relating to that business entity.
	(b)  A county judge or county commissioner that has a 
substantial interest in a business entity as described by 
Subsection (a) must comply with this chapter.
	(c)  A judge of a constitutional county court may not enter a 
court appearance or sign court pleadings as an attorney in any 
matter before:
		(1)  the court over which the judge presides; or                       
		(2)  any court in this state over which the judge's 
court exercises appellate jurisdiction.
	(d)  Upon compliance with this chapter, a county judge or 
commissioner may practice law in the courts located in the county 
where the county judge or commissioner serves.
	SECTION 2.  Section 171.010(c), Local Government Code, as 
added by this Act, applies only to the entrance of an appearance or 
pleading signed on or after September 1, 2003.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.