81R11179 CAE-D
By: Keffer H.B. No. 2234
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain judges to take the bar
examination.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 82, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 82.0261 to read as follows:
Sec. 82.0261. SUBSTITUTION OF CERTAIN JUDICIAL SERVICE FOR
LAW STUDY REQUIREMENTS. (a) A person may substitute for the
prelegal study and training and law study required of a candidate
for the examination for a license to practice law:
(1) eight consecutive years of judicial service
hearing cases as a judge of a constitutional county court; or
(2) six consecutive years of judicial service hearing
cases as a judge of a constitutional county court if the person has
received a baccalaureate or advanced degree from a public or
private institution of higher education accredited by a regional
accrediting agency or group that is recognized by a nationally
recognized accreditation board.
(b) The person must meet the requirements of this section
before applying to take the examination.
(c) This section does not affect the supreme court
requirements relating to the moral character of a candidate for a
license to practice law.
(d) The person must give the clerk of the supreme court
notice of the person's intent to take a scheduled examination for a
license to practice law not later than the 30th day before the date
of the examination.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by Section 82.0261,
Government Code, as added by this Act, applies to an application to
take a bar examination made on or after the effective date of this
Act, regardless of whether the applicant's judicial service accrued
before, on, or after that date.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.