This section sets the process for preparing and approving the state bar’s annual budget, including a public hearing and special rules for fee increases.
Sec. 81.022. ANNUAL BUDGET; PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING. (a) The executive director of the state bar shall confer with the clerk of the supreme court and shall supervise the administrative staff of the state bar in preparation of the annual budget. (a-1) In developing and approving the annual budget, the state bar and supreme court shall: (1) consider the goals and performance measures identified in the strategic plan developed under Section 81.0215; and (2) identify additional goals and performance measures as necessary. (a-2) Any change in a membership fee or other fee for state bar members must be: (1) clearly described and included in the proposed budget; and (2) considered by the supreme court in the state bar budget deliberations. (a-3) Except as provided by Subsection (a-4), an increase in a membership fee or other fee for state bar members may not take effect until the supreme court: (1) distributes the proposed fee change in ballot form to each member of the state bar and orders a vote; (2) counts the returned ballots following the 30th day after the date the ballots are distributed; and (3) promulgates the proposed fee, effective immediately, only on approval of the fee increase by a majority of the state bar members who voted on the increase. (a-4) An increase in the fee for membership in the state bar may be made by the board of directors, without a vote of the members of the state bar, provided that not more than one increase may be made by the board of directors in a six-year period and such increase shall not exceed 10 percent. (b) The proposed budget shall be presented annually at a public hearing. Not later than the 30th day before the day the hearing is held, the proposed budget and notice of the time and place of the budget hearing shall be disseminated to the membership of the state bar and to the public. (c) The executive director shall preside at the budget hearing or, if the executive director is unable to preside, may authorize any employee of the administrative staff or any officer or director of the state bar to preside. Any member of the public may participate in the discussion of any item proposed to be included in the budget. (d) After the public hearing, the proposed budget shall be submitted to the board of directors for its consideration. The budget adopted by the board of directors shall be submitted to the supreme court for final review and approval. The board of directors, at a regular or special meeting, may amend the budget subject to approval by the supreme court. (e) After implementing a budget approved by the supreme court, the state bar shall report to the court regarding the state bar's performance on the goals and performance measures identified in the strategic plan developed under Section 81.0215. The state bar shall: (1) revise the goals and performance measures as necessary; and (2) notify the supreme court of the revisions. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 148, Sec. 3.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 531 (S.B. 302), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.