By: Martinez Fischer H.B. No. 4699
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the appointment of an attorney pro tem for certain
  criminal proceedings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 2.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), (e), (f), (g) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  Whenever an attorney for the state is disqualified to
  act in any case or proceeding, is absent from the county or
  district, or is otherwise unable to perform the duties of the
  attorney's office, or in any instance where there is no attorney for
  the state, the judge of the court in which the attorney represents
  the state may appoint, from any county or district, an attorney for
  the state or may appoint an assistant attorney general to perform
  the duties of the office during the absence or disqualification of
  the attorney for the state.  However, if after a reasonable effort
  has been made to appoint an attorney for the state from another
  county or district, or assistant attorney general and a commitment
  to take the appointment has not been received, the court may appoint
  any competent counsel.
         (b)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the
  duties of the appointed office are additional duties of the
  appointed attorney's present office, and the attorney is not
  entitled to additional compensation.  This subsection does not
  prevent a commissioners court of a county from contracting with
  another commissioners court to pay expenses and reimburse
  compensation paid by a county to an attorney who is appointed to
  perform additional duties. (b-1) An attorney for the state who is
  not disqualified to act may request the court to permit the
  attorney's recusal in a case for good cause, and on approval by the
  court, the attorney is disqualified.
         (b-1)  An attorney for the state who is not disqualified to
  act may request the court to permit the attorney's recusal in a case
  for good cause, and on approval by the court, the attorney is
  disqualified.
         (c)  Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (S.B.
  341 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019. If the appointed attorney is
  not an attorney for the state, he is qualified to perform the duties
  of the office for the period of absence or disqualification of the
  attorney for the state on filing an oath with the clerk of the
  court.  He shall receive compensation in the same amount and manner
  as an attorney appointed to represent an indigent person.
         (d)  In this article, "attorney for the state" means a county
  attorney with criminal jurisdiction, a district attorney, or a
  criminal district attorney.
         (e)  Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (S.B.
  341 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019. In Subsections (b) and (c) of
  this article, "attorney for the state" includes an assistant
  attorney general.
         (f)  Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (S.B.
  341 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019. In Subsection (a) of this
  article, "competent attorney" includes an assistant attorney
  general.
         (g)  Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (S.B.
  341), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2019. (g) An attorney appointed
  under Subsection (a) of this article to perform the duties of the
  office of an attorney for the state in a justice or municipal court
  may be paid a reasonable fee for performing those duties.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act in amending
  Article 2.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, applies only to the
  appointment of an attorney pro tem that occurs on or after the
  effective date of this Act. The appointment of an attorney pro tem
  that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the attorney pro tem was appointed, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.