GEC S.B. 885 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS BUSINESS & INDUSTRY S.B. 885 By: Carona (Thompson) 5-9-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the need may arise in the context of a sale of a business or in post-employment relations for involved parties or persons to agree to refrain from competing with each other in order to protect the continuing viability of the business. In these cases a covenant is established which attempts to restrict a party from competing in some activity for a period of time in a particular geographical area. In order for a covenant to be enforceable it must meet a variety of standards established by statute. This bill establishes certain criteria under which a covenant is enforceable. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 885 establishes certain criteria under which a covenant is enforceable. 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 15.50, Business & Commerce Code, as follows: Sec. 15.50. New heading: CRITERIA FOR ENFORCEABILITY OF COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE; CONSIDERATION. Provides that a covenant not to compete is an enforceable agreement if it is ancillary to or part of an otherwise enforceable agreement or otherwise valid transaction or relationship, rather than at the time the agreement is made, to the extent that it contains limitations as to time, geographical area, and scope of activity that are reasonable and do not impose a restraint greater than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interest of the promisee. Requires certain covenants to be supported by consideration other than the continuation of the agreement, transaction, or relationship. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.