Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3762 by Coleman (relating to legal services provided by a district or county attorney to county and precinct officials.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Government Code to authorize a county or precinct official to request, in writing, the interpretation of a statute relating to the official duties from the district or county attorney. A district or county attorney would be required to take action not later than the 30th day after the written request is submitted. A county or precinct official, including a county auditor, that is sued for an action arising from the performance of a public duty following the opinion or advice would be entitled to representation.
Local Government Impact
There could be a fiscal impact to a county; however, the amounts would vary and is not anticipated to be significant. Auditors from El Paso, Grayson and Johnson counties indicated no fiscal impact is anticipated. The auditors added that if a county or precinct official is sued for performing an official duty, the official would receive necessary legal advice and representation.