HB 19 (Murr) Relating to the creation of a specialty trial court to hear certain cases.
- Would create the business court as a statutory court under the TX Constitution
- Concurrent jurisdiction includes derivative action on behalf of an organization, an action regarding the governance or internal affairs of an organization, an action related to certain securities or trade regulation law, certain actions alleging an act or omission by certain persons controlling an organization, certain actions alleging breach of duty, certain actions holding certain persons liable for organization obligations, and actions seeking declaratory judgment or injunctive relief under Chapter 37, Civil Practice and Remedies Code
- HB 19 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk
HB 3474 (Leach) Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures regarding proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including the service of process and delivery of documents related to the proceedings, the administration of oaths, and the management of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission, and the composition of certain juvenile boards
- Omnibus courts bill for the 88th Session; among provisions is a widespread salary increase according to position and years of service
- HB 3474 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk
SB 372 (Huffman) Relating to creating a criminal offense for the unauthorized disclosure of non-public judicial opinions and judicial work product
- Requires persons involved in crafting an opinion or decision to maintain confidentiality of all non-public work product; knowingly disclosing protected work product is a Class A misdemeanor
- SB 372 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk
SB 1045 (Huffman) Relating to prohibiting the dismissal of certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services
- Creates the statewide Fifteenth Court of Appeals; the bill analysis notes that the Fifteenth Court seeks to address inconsistent case results across the state
- The Fifteenth Court has exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction over matters involving agencies, officers, and employees of the executive branch, civil asset forfeiture, and matters that challenge constitutionality of validity of a state statute or rule where the AG is party
- SB 1045 passed out of both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk