HBA-KMH H.B. 1608 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1608 By: Thompson Judicial Affairs 3/9/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the law governing constitutional county judges is vague as to whether a judge who is a licensed attorney may practice law in courts in which the judge has no jurisdiction. Many constitutional county judges in smaller counties have small salaries and need to supplement their income. H.B. 1608 allows a constitutional county judge to practice law in courts where the judge has no jurisdiction. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 26, Government Code by adding Section 26.007, as follows: Sec. 26.007. PRIVATE PRACTICE BY COUNTY JUDGE; LIMITATION. Authorizes a county judge who is licensed to practice law in this state to engage in the private practice of law. Prohibits a judge from appearing or pleading as an attorney in the judge's court or in any court in this state over which the judge's court exercises appellate jurisdiction. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.