Honorable Garnet Coleman, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2524 by Coleman (Relating to legal services provided by a district or county attorney to county and precinct officials.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant 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 as a result of following the opinion or advice would be entitled to representation. Under the provisions of the bill, if a county or precinct official requests and obtains legal advice and fails to implement the advice, the official is not entitled to representation in an action arising from the failure and must reimburse the county for damages incurred.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.