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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain judges to take the bar |
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examination. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 82, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 82.0261 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 82.0261. SUBSTITUTION OF CERTAIN JUDICIAL SERVICE FOR |
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LAW STUDY REQUIREMENTS. (a) A person may substitute for the |
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prelegal study and training and law study required of a candidate |
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for the examination for a license to practice law: |
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(1) eight consecutive years of judicial service |
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hearing cases as a judge of a constitutional county court; or |
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(2) six consecutive years of judicial service hearing |
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cases as a judge of a constitutional county court if the person has |
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received a baccalaureate or advanced degree from a public or |
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private institution of higher education accredited by a regional |
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accrediting agency or group that is recognized by a nationally |
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recognized accreditation board. |
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(b) The person must meet the requirements of this section |
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before applying to take the examination. |
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(c) This section does not affect the supreme court |
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requirements relating to the moral character of a candidate for a |
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license to practice law. |
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(d) The person must give the clerk of the supreme court |
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notice of the person's intent to take a scheduled examination for a |
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license to practice law not later than the 30th day before the date |
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of the examination. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by Section 82.0261, |
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Government Code, as added by this Act, applies to an application to |
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take a bar examination made on or after the effective date of this |
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Act, regardless of whether the applicant's judicial service accrued |
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before, on, or after that date. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |