Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB148 by Smith, Todd (Relating to the prosecution of the offense of barratry and solicitation of professional employment.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code relating to barratry. The bill would authorize the client of an attorney with whom the client had entered a contingent fee contract procured as a result of barratry to recover the amount paid to the attorney plus additional damages in a civil suit. To the extent the bill would modify court procedures, no affect on judicial workloads or fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Penal Code by providing clarification for the conditions that must be met regarding the prosecution of the offense of barratry and solicitation of professional employment. It is assumed that implementation of these provisions of the bill would not have a significant impact on the costs of state government.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2009.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.