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79R2446 QS-D


By:  Talton                                                       H.B. No. 826



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the licensure of certain attorneys licensed to practice 
law in other jurisdictions 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 who is licensed to practice law in another state and whose 
J.D. degree is based on study by correspondence to take the bar 
examination and, on passing the examination, be admitted to 
practice law in this state, if:
		(1)  the degree was awarded by a law school that is 
authorized to award J.D. degrees based on study by correspondence 
by the state in which the attorney is licensed;
		(2)  the attorney obtained the attorney's license from 
the highest court of the state in which the attorney is licensed as 
a result of passing the bar examination of that state;
		(3)  the attorney is in good standing with the 
licensing authority of the state in which the attorney is licensed; 
and
		(4)  the attorney is otherwise eligible to take the bar 
examination. 
	SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date 
of this Act, the Texas 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 Texas bar examination or an application for admission to the 
State Bar of Texas on or after September 1, 2005.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.