TO: | Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on Jurisprudence |
FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | HB1716 by Lewis (Relating to conflicts of interest of certain local public officials engaged in the practice of law.), As Engrossed |
The bill would prohibit a judge of a constitutional county court from entering a court appearance or signing court pleadings as an attorney in any matter before the court over which the judge presides or any court in the state over which the judge's court exercises appellate jurisdiction.
A county judge or county commissioner that has a substantial interest in a business entity and that, as a practicing attorney, has entered a court appearance or signed pleadings relating to that business must also comply with the restrictions of the proposed statute. Upon compliance, the county judge or commissioner may practice law in the courts located in the county where the county judge or commissioner serves.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2003 and would apply only to court appearances or pleadings signed on or after the effective date.
Source Agencies: | |
LBB Staff: | JK, GO, DLBa
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