87R8917 YDB-D
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 891
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to State Bar of Texas elections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 81.019, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read
as follows:
(b) Except as provided by Subsections [Subsection] (c) and
(d), the officers shall be elected in accordance with rules for the
election of officers and directors prepared and proposed by the
supreme court as provided by Section 81.024.
(c) The election rules must permit any member's name to be
printed on the ballot as a candidate for president-elect if a
written petition requesting that action and signed by at least 500
active members [five percent of the membership] of the state bar is
filed with the executive director at least 30 days before the
election ballots are to be distributed to the membership.
(d) The election rules must permit electronic signatures on
a written petition submitted as provided by Subsection (c).
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 81, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 81.0243 to read as follows:
Sec. 81.0243. VOTING DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED; INJUNCTIVE
RELIEF. (a) Voting discrimination based on religion, age, sex,
race, color, creed, or national origin is prohibited in any form by
members of the state bar in elections under this chapter.
(b) A person may bring an action for injunctive relief
against a member of the state bar who appears to be violating or is
threatening to violate Subsection (a). Venue for the action is a
district court in Travis County. The person may recover reasonable
expenses incurred in obtaining injunctive relief, including court
costs and attorney's fees.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt the rules necessary
to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2021.