By Naishtat                                           H.B. No. 2168
         76R3807 CLG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the appointment of a registered agent to accept service
 1-3     of process in this state on behalf of a business entity.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 30.011 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 30.011.  APPOINTMENT OF REGISTERED AGENT OF BUSINESS
 1-8     ENTITY.  The appointment of a registered agent to accept service of
 1-9     process in an action  or proceeding in this state on behalf of a
1-10     foreign or domestic business entity authorized to transact business
1-11     in this state does not take effect until the person appointed
1-12     registered agent:
1-13                 (1)  signs the document evidencing the appointment; or
1-14                 (2)  files with the secretary of state a statement in
1-15     writing accepting the appointment.
1-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and
1-17     applies only to the appointment of a registered agent made on or
1-18     after that date.  The appointment of a registered agent made before
1-19     the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect
1-20     when the appointment was made, and the former law is continued in
1-21     effect for that purpose.
1-22           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-23     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-24     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-1     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-2     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.