LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 10, 2011 TO: Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1890 by Fletcher (relating to voidability of contracts procured through barratry and civil liability arising from conduct constituting barratry.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code by allowing an attorneys client to bring an action to void certain contracts for legal services procured through barratry and recover fees, expenses and actual damages. The bill would also allow a person solicited by conduct constituting barratry, to file a civil action to recover certain penalties, fees, and actual damages. The bill would amend the Government Code by allowing a lawyer to recover legal fees or expenses relating to certain voided contracts procured through barratry, based on quantum meruit. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011. The Court of Criminal Appeals anticipates no significant fiscal impact to the State from this bill. The Office of the Attorney General anticipates that any legal work resulting from the passage of this bill could be reasonably absorbed with current resources. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:211 Court of Criminal Appeals, 302 Office of the Attorney General LBB Staff: JOB, ADM, JT, GG LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 10, 2011 TO: Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB1890 by Fletcher (relating to voidability of contracts procured through barratry and civil liability arising from conduct constituting barratry.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted TO: Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1890 by Fletcher (relating to voidability of contracts procured through barratry and civil liability arising from conduct constituting barratry.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Honorable Jim Jackson, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board HB1890 by Fletcher (relating to voidability of contracts procured through barratry and civil liability arising from conduct constituting barratry.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted HB1890 by Fletcher (relating to voidability of contracts procured through barratry and civil liability arising from conduct constituting barratry.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Government Code by allowing an attorneys client to bring an action to void certain contracts for legal services procured through barratry and recover fees, expenses and actual damages. The bill would also allow a person solicited by conduct constituting barratry, to file a civil action to recover certain penalties, fees, and actual damages. The bill would amend the Government Code by allowing a lawyer to recover legal fees or expenses relating to certain voided contracts procured through barratry, based on quantum meruit. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011. The Court of Criminal Appeals anticipates no significant fiscal impact to the State from this bill. The Office of the Attorney General anticipates that any legal work resulting from the passage of this bill could be reasonably absorbed with current resources. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 211 Court of Criminal Appeals, 302 Office of the Attorney General 211 Court of Criminal Appeals, 302 Office of the Attorney General LBB Staff: JOB, ADM, JT, GG JOB, ADM, JT, GG