By:  Keffer of Eastland (Senate Sponsor - Duncan)                 H.B. No. 2689
	(In the Senate - Received from the House April 28, 2003; 
May 1, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on 
Jurisprudence; May 8, 2003, reported favorably by the following 
vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 8, 2003, sent to printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to the practice of law.                                            
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 5, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Chapter 953 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 953. PETROLEUM AND MINERAL LAND SERVICES
	Sec. 953.001.  EXCEPTION TO PRACTICE OF LAW.  For the 
purposes of the definition in Section 81.101, Government Code, the 
"practice of law" does not include acts relating to the lease, 
purchase, sale, or transfer of a mineral or mining interest in real 
property or an easement or other interest associated with a mineral 
or mining interest in real property if:
		(1)  the acts are performed by a person who does not 
hold the person out as an attorney licensed to practice law in this 
state or in another jurisdiction; and
		(2)  the person is not a licensed attorney.                            
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.



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