KJG S.B. 637 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


CIVIL PRACTICES
S.B. 637
By: Brown (Brimer)
5-7-97
Committee Report (Amended)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas law is silent on the date on which a decision is final in
certain contested cases.  This bill will provide the date on which a
decision is final in contested cases orders rendered by state agencies. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 637 provides the date on which a decision is final in
certain contested cases. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 2001.144(a), Government Code, to provide that a
decision in a contested case is final on the date specified in the order
for cases in which all parties agree to the specified date in writing or
on the record, if the specified date is not before the date the order is
signed or later than the 20th day after the date the order was rendered. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.



EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment #1 clarifies that a decision cannot become final
before the date the order is signed.