88R7553 AMF-D
 
  By: Leach H.B. No. 1610
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the defense of this state or a state agency in actions
  challenging the constitutionality of a state statute.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 402.010, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  The attorney general may not settle or compromise any
  claim in an action against this state or a state agency if the
  settlement or compromise has the effect of holding that a state
  statute is unconstitutional.
         (c-2)  If a state agency in the executive or legislative
  branch of state government is a defendant in an action in which a
  party to the litigation files a petition, motion, or other pleading
  challenging the constitutionality of a state statute and the
  attorney general elects not to defend the agency, the attorney
  general shall pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by
  the agency in defending the action, including court costs,
  investigative costs, deposition expenses, witness fees, and
  attorney's fees.  This subsection does not apply to representation
  of the agency before the supreme court in violation of Section 22,
  Article IV, Texas Constitution.
         SECTION 2.  Section 402.010, Government Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to an action filed on or after the effective
  date of this Act.  An action filed before the effective date of this
  Act is governed by the law applicable to the action before the
  effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for
  that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.