BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1021

By: Smithee

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that Texans in certain counties lack adequate access to local law library self-help centers, which contain legal information and forms to assist members of the public with legal matters. H.B. 1021 seeks to increase access to these legal resources and to provide for related funding for these centers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1021 amends the Local Government Code to give the commissioners court of a county the option to establish and maintain a county law library at a location determined by the commissioners court other than the county seat. The bill authorizes the commissioners court of a county to establish, maintain, and operate in cooperation with other counties a joint free county law library for the benefit of the cooperating counties in the same manner that a joint county library may be established and operated. The bill adds the establishment and maintenance of a self-help center to provide resources to county residents representing themselves in legal matters as an authorized use of a county law library fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.