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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to contingent fee contracts for representation of local |
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governments in certain environmental enforcement actions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 7, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 7.359 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 7.359. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONTINGENT FEE |
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CONTRACTS. A local government that is a public agency as defined by |
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Section 30.003 may not enter into a contingent fee contract as |
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described by Section 2254.101, Government Code, for legal services |
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associated with a civil suit brought under this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a civil suit under Subchapter H, Chapter 7, Water Code, that is |
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filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A civil suit filed |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
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effect on the date the suit was filed, and the former law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |