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	On third reading, amend SB 408 on page 2, between lines 20 and 
21, by inserting the following appropriately numbered new SECTIONS 
and renumber the following sections appropriately:
	SECTION ____. Subchapter A, Chapter 25, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 25.0020 to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0020. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL IN CERTAIN APPEALS. (a) 
On a written application of any party to an eviction suit, the 
county court or county court at law in which an appeal of the suit is 
filed may appoint any qualified attorney who is willing to provide 
pro bono services in the matter or counsel from a list provided by a 
pro bono legal services program of counsel willing to be appointed 
to handle appeals under this section to attend to the cause of a 
party who:
		(1) was in possession of the residence at the time the 
eviction suit was filed in the justice court; and
		(2) has perfected the appeal on a pauper's affidavit 
approved in accordance with Rule 749a, Texas Rules of Civil 
Procedure.
	(b) The appointed counsel shall represent the individual in 
the proceedings of the suit in the county court or county court at 
law.  At the conclusion of those proceedings, the appointment 
terminates.
	(c) The court may terminate representation appointed under 
this section for cause.
	(d) Appointed counsel may not receive attorney's fees unless 
the recovery of attorney's fees is provided for by contract, 
statute, common law, court rules, or other regulations.  The county 
is not responsible for payment of attorney's fees to appointed 
counsel.
	(e) The court shall provide for a method of service of written 
notice on the parties to an eviction suit of the right to request an 
appointment of counsel on perfection of appeal on approval of a 
pauper's affidavit.
	SECTION ____. Subchapter A, Chapter 26, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 26.010 to read as follows:
	Sec. 26.010. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL IN CERTAIN APPEALS. (a) 
On a written application of any party to an eviction suit, the 
county court or county court at law in which an appeal of the suit is 
filed may appoint any qualified attorney who is willing to provide 
pro bono services in the matter or counsel from a list provided by a 
pro bono legal services program of counsel willing to be appointed 
to handle appeals under this section to attend to the cause of a 
party who:
		(1) was in possession of the residence at the time the 
eviction suit was filed in the justice court; and
		(2) has perfected the appeal on a pauper's affidavit 
approved in accordance with Rule 749a, Texas Rules of Civil 
Procedure.
	(b) The appointed counsel shall represent the individual in 
the proceedings of the suit in the county court or county court at 
law.  At the conclusion of those proceedings, the appointment 
terminates.
	(c) The court may terminate representation appointed under 
this section for cause.
	(d) Appointed counsel may not receive attorney's fees unless 
the recovery of attorney's fees is provided for by contract, 
statute, common law, court rules, or other regulations.  The county 
is not responsible for payment of attorney's fees to appointed 
counsel.
	(e) The court shall provide for a method of service of written 
notice on the parties to an eviction suit of the right to request an 
appointment of counsel on perfection of appeal on approval of a 
pauper's affidavit.