84R8062 KJE-F
 
  By: Hancock S.B. No. 772
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to legal representation for certain emergency services
  districts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 775, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 775.0315 to read as follows:
         Sec. 775.0315.  LEGAL REPRESENTATION. (a) This section
  applies only to a district located wholly in a county with a
  population of 1.8 million or more in which two or more cities with a
  population of 350,000 or more are located.
         (b)  A district may employ or contract with private legal
  counsel to represent the district on any legal matter. If the
  district does not employ or contract with private legal counsel on a
  legal matter, the county attorney, district attorney, or criminal
  district attorney, as appropriate, with the duty to represent the
  county in civil matters shall represent the district.
         (c)  A district that receives legal services from a county
  attorney, district attorney, or criminal district attorney may
  employ additional private legal counsel on the board's
  determination that additional counsel is advisable.  A district
  that contracts or employs private legal counsel under Subsection
  (b) may request and receive additional legal services from the
  county attorney, district attorney, or criminal district attorney,
  as appropriate, with the duty to represent the county in civil
  matters on the board's determination that additional counsel is
  necessary.
         (d)  If the district receives legal services from a county
  attorney, district attorney, or criminal district attorney, the
  district shall contribute money to be credited to the county's
  general fund account for the county attorney, district attorney, or
  criminal district attorney, as appropriate, in amounts sufficient
  to pay all additional salaries and expenses incurred by that
  officer in performing the duties required by the district.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.