By Brown S.B. No. 637 75R6408 T A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the finality of contested case orders rendered by state 1-3 agencies. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 2001.144(a), Government Code, is amended 1-6 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 2001.144. Decisions; When Final. (a) A decision in a 1-8 contested case is final: 1-9 (1) if a motion for rehearing is not filed on time, on 1-10 the expiration of the period for filing a motion for rehearing; 1-11 (2) if a motion for rehearing is filed on time, on the 1-12 date: 1-13 (A) the order overruling the motion for 1-14 rehearing is rendered; or 1-15 (B) the motion is overruled by operation of law; 1-16 or 1-17 (3) if a state agency finds that an imminent peril to 1-18 the public health, safety, or welfare requires immediate effect of 1-19 a decision or order, on the date the decision is rendered. 1-20 (4) on the date specified in the order for cases in 1-21 which no party appeared in protest, provided that the specified 1-22 date cannot exceed the date the order was rendered by more than 20 1-23 days; if no date is specified the order becomes final under 1-24 Subparagraph (2). 2-1 (b) If a decision or order is final under Subsection (a)(3), 2-2 a state agency must recite the decision or order the finding made 2-3 under Subsection (a)(3) and the fact that the decision or order is 2-4 final and effective on the date rendered. 2-5 SECTION 2. This act takes effect September 1, 1997. 2-6 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-7 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-8 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-9 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-10 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.