(a) On request, the commission may provide legal services to an applicant for or recipient of assistance at a hearing before the commission.
(b) The services must be provided by an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas or by a law student acting under the supervision of a law teacher or a legal services organization, and the attorney or law student must be approved by the commission.

(c) The executive commissioner shall adopt a reasonable fee schedule for the legal services. The fees may not exceed those customarily charged by an attorney for similar services for a private client. The fees may be paid only from funds appropriated to the commission for the purpose of providing these legal services.