Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3981 by Leach (Relating to civil suits brought by local governments for violations of certain laws under the jurisdiction of, or rules adopted or orders or permits issued by, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code to authorize the Attorney General to settle necessary and indispensable party suits brought by local governments without the consent or approval of the local government for an amount that is consistent with the policies of the state or at the direction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and prohibits a local government that is a public agency from entering into contingent fee contracts for legal services associated with these suits. Based on the analysis of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality