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.