78R6354 SLO-F

By:  Talton                                                       H.B. No. 1759



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the licensure of a person licensed to practice law in 
another jurisdiction to practice law in Texas.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 82.036, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows:  
	Sec. 82.036.  FOREIGN ATTORNEYS.  (a) The supreme court 
shall make such rules and regulations as to admitting attorneys 
from other jurisdictions to practice law in this state as it shall 
deem proper and just.  All such attorneys shall be required to 
furnish satisfactory proof as to good moral character.
	(b)  The rules adopted under this section must allow an 
attorney licensed to practice law in another jurisdiction to:
		(1)  take the bar examination and, on passing the 
examination, be admitted to practice law in this state, regardless 
of whether the attorney completed the law study requirements for 
admission at an approved law school, if the attorney:
			(A)  is otherwise eligible to take the examination 
and be admitted to practice law; and
			(B)  is in good standing with the licensing 
authority of the other jurisdiction and there is no disciplinary 
investigation or action pending against the attorney; and
		(2)  be admitted to practice law in this state without 
examination, regardless of whether the attorney completed the law 
study requirements for admission at an approved law school, if the 
attorney:
			(A)  is otherwise eligible for admission to 
practice law without examination; and
			(B)  is in good standing with the licensing 
authority of the other jurisdiction and there is no disciplinary 
investigation or action pending against the attorney.
	(c)  An attorney described by Subsection (b)(1) who received 
a passing score on a bar examination administered in another 
jurisdiction is not required to take the Multistate Performance 
Test or the Multistate Bar Examination components of the Texas bar 
examination to be admitted to practice law in this state.  The 
supreme court shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this 
subsection.
	SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date 
of this Act, the supreme court shall adopt rules to implement 
Section 82.036, Government Code, as amended by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  Section 82.036, Government Code, as amended by 
this Act, applies only to a person who files an application to take 
the bar examination or an application for admission to the State Bar 
of Texas on or after September 1, 2003.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.