BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 400
                                                    By: Wentworth
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                           3-6-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

One of the four remaining commercial aircraft manufacturers in the
United States, San Antonio's Fairchild Aircraft Incorporated,
unlike all other manufacturers in Texas, is not subject to forum
nonconveniens, the doctrine which allows a court to dismiss
litigation commenced by a non-resident of Texas and arising from an
incident that occurred outside of the state.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 400 provides that the forum of non conveniens
applies to a personal injury or death caused by a means of air
transportation designed, manufactured, sold, maintained, inspected,
or repaired in this state, but does not apply to harm caused by air
transportation that is operated in this state or while travelling
in or on a means of transportation originating from or destined for
a location in this state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 71.051(f), Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, to prohibit a court from staying or dismissing an action in
which it is alleged that personal injury or death was caused by a
means of air transportation operated in Texas, but deletes a
provision prohibiting a court from staying or dismissing an action
in which it is alleged that personal injury or death was caused by
a means of air transportation designed, manufactured, sold,
maintained, inspected, or repaired in Texas.

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1995.
           Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.