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By:  Ellis                                                        S.B. No. 1602


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the membership fee collected by the supreme court from 
members of the state bar.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 81.054, Government Code, is amended by 
adding subsection (f) as follows:
	(f)  The fees set by the supreme court in subsection (a) 
shall include a fee of not less than $65.00 for the provision of 
civil legal services to the indigent.  Fees collected under this 
subsection shall be distributed to programs approved by the supreme 
court that provide civil legal services to the indigent.  The 
supreme court shall annually review the membership fee to determine 
whether the fee is sufficient to support the needs of indigent 
individuals unable to obtain judicial access and related legal 
services.  In conducting its annual review, the supreme court shall 
review recommendations of the Texas Access to Justice Commission 
regarding priority unmet legal needs that restrict access to 
justice for indigent persons.
	SECTION 2.  This act takes effect September 1, 2003.