BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                              S.B. 168

                                                                                                                                              By: Ellis

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Current law requires members of the State Bar of Texas to pay a $65 fee annually to help cover the cost of providing provide legal services to indigent citizens who are otherwise unable to afford representation. Implementation of this fee has not led to a reduction in the number of attorneys doing pro bono legal work, as some had feared.

 

As proposed, S.B. 168 deletes the expiration date contained in the section requiring the implementation of a $65 fee for legal services on non-exempt attorneys.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

The bill would amend Section 81.054(j), Government Code, to delete text providing that this subsection (regarding a fee paid by each active state bar member) will expire on September 1, 2007.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Immediately on receipt of required vote; otherwise September 1, 2007.