H.B. No. 577
AN ACT
relating to the representation of certain applicants for writs of
habeas corpus in cases involving the death pena
lty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 26.044(n), Code of Criminal Procedure,
is amended to read as follows:
(n) An attorney employed by a public defender's office may
be appointed with respect to an application for a writ of habeas
corpus filed under Article 11.071 only if:
(1) an attorney employed by the office of capital
writs is not appointed in the case; and
(2) the attorney employed by the public defender's
office is on the list of competent counsel maintained under Section
78.056, Government Code.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 577 was passed by the House on May 10,
2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 577 was passed by the Senate on May
22, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor