84R7687 MEW-D By: Raymond H.B. No. 1386 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the prohibition of more than one counsel appearing in a misdemeanor case. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article 45.020(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows: (b) [Not more than one counsel shall conduct either the prosecution or defense.] State's counsel may open and conclude the argument in the case. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective date of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commences before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding commences, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.