83R9598 JTS-F
By: Burkett H.B. No. 3119
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to contingent fee contracts for representation of local
governments in certain environmental enforcement actions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 7, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 7.359 to read as follows:
Sec. 7.359. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONTINGENT FEE
CONTRACTS. A local government that is a public agency as defined by
Section 30.003 may not enter into a contingent fee contract as
described by Section 2254.101, Government Code, for legal services
associated with a civil suit brought under this subchapter.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a civil suit under Subchapter H, Chapter 7, Water Code, that is
filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A civil suit filed
before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
effect on the date the suit was filed, and the former law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.