Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2573 by Johnson (Relating to a deceptive trade practice related to the use of certain words to imply that a person who is not an attorney is authorized to practice law and the prosecution of a cause of action arising from that practice.), As Passed 2nd House
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Business and Commerce Code to make the use of certain words to imply a person who is not an attorney is authorized to practice law a violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act. The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
The Office of the Attorney General indicated the costs associated with implementation of the bill could be absorbed with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the provisions of the bill, a certain portion of the civil penalty recovered would be paid to the county where the court is located. There may be a positive fiscal impact to local governments; however, fiscal impact will vary depending on the number of suits brought and cannot be determined.