BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 416

By: Watson

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties contend that there is a need to revise the composition of the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas to address concerns that the minority member requirements violate the United States Constitution. S.B. 416 seeks to remove those requirements while also ensuring that the board continues to represent the interests of attorneys from the varied backgrounds that compose the membership of the state bar by providing for the appointment of outreach directors who demonstrate certain sensitivity and knowledge.

 

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

 

S.B. 416 amends the Government Code to replace the four minority member directors of the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas who are appointed by the president of the state bar with four outreach directors appointed by the president of the state bar. The bill replaces the requirement that the president attempt to appoint directors from certain minority groups with a requirement that the president appoint directors who demonstrate the sensitivity and knowledge gained from experiences in the legal profession and community necessary to ensure the board represents the interests of attorneys from the varied backgrounds that compose the membership of the state bar, including members of historically underrepresented groups.

 

S.B. 416 establishes that a minority member serving on the board of directors of the state bar on the bill's effective date continues to serve the term to which the director was appointed and requires the president of the state bar on expiration of such a director's term to appoint an outreach director.

 

S.B. 416 repeals Section 81.002(7), Government Code.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

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