BILL ANALYSIS


                                                          S.B. 23
                                                    By: Wentworth
                                             Economic Development
                                                         01-31-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, the state court system of Texas is experiencing a
backlog of civil suits, as a result of either long, drawn-out cases
or frivolous suits.  The Supreme Court of Texas has never been
ordered to adopt new rules which would expedite civil suits and rid
the docket of frivolous cases.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 23 requires the supreme court to adopt certain
rules to improve the efficiency of civil procedure.
 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the supreme court under SECTION 1 (Sections 22.0045 (a) and (b),
Chapter 22A, Government Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends, Chapter 22A, Government Code, by adding Section
22.0045, as follows:

     Sec.  22.0045.  RULES TO EXPEDITE LITIGATION.  (a) Directs the
     supreme court to draft rules to streamline and expedite civil
     litigation, including rules that encourage alternate dispute
     resolution procedures and require sanctions against frivolous
     lawsuits and defenses and abuses of the discovery process.
     
     (b) Requires the supreme court to adopt rules under this
     section by December 31, 1996.
     
     (c) Provides that this section expires January 1, 1997.
       SECTION 2.   Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.