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.