TO:	Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3503 by Lambert (Relating to the representation of parties in justice court cases and to the correction or removal of certain obsolete provisions of the Property Code.), As Introduced

The bill would amend the Property Code to provide that a party in a justice court case is not required to be represented by an attorney. Under the bill's provisions, a party who is an individual may be represented by the individual's self, an attorney, or an authorized agent who is not an attorney and a corporation or other entity could be represented by certain non-attorney persons, an attorney, or an authorized agency who is not an attorney. The bill would allow a court, for good cause, to allow an individual who is representing the individual's self to be assisted in court by a family member or other individual who is not being compensated. 

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.