BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 168

80R3264 CAE-D                                                                                                                  By: Ellis

Jurisprudence

2/15/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

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 have 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

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends 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.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after adjournment.