By: Miles S.B. No. 1460
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating tothe appointment of counsel to represent indigent
defendants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter79,Government Code, is amended by
addingSection79.044to read as follows:
(a) Thissection 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 theguidelines contained in
caseload studies published by the commissionpursuant to House Bill
1318, 83rdTexas 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.