By: Coleman H.B. No. 3549
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the appointment of counsel to represent indigent
defendants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 79, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 79.044 to read as follows:
(a) This section applies only to a county with a population
of more than 3.3 million.
(b) The number of court appointments in criminal cases
received by an attorney is not to exceed the guidelines contained in
caseload studies published by the commission pursuant to House Bill
1318, 83rd Texas Legislature.
(c) If information provided under Section 79.036(a-1) shows
that the number of appointments made to an attorney accepting
appointments in the county exceeds caseload guidelines, the county
may withhold payment to that attorney for those cases that exceed
the caseload guidelines.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.