By Hilbert                                            H.B. No. 2412
         76R8635 T                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to arbitration of disputes in the workplace.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 171.001 of the Civil Practice and
 1-5     Remedies code, is amended to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 171.001.  ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS VALID.  (a)  A written
 1-7     agreement to arbitrate is valid and enforceable if the agreement is
 1-8     to arbitrate a controversy that:
 1-9                 (1)  exists at the time of the agreement; or
1-10                 (2)  arises between the parties after the date of the
1-11     agreement.
1-12           (b)  A party may revoke the agreement only on a ground that
1-13     exists at law or in equity of the revocation of a contract.
1-14           (c)  An agreement between an employer and an employee at-will
1-15     to arbitrate a controversy which arises out of the employment
1-16     relationship is valid and enforceable if the agreement complies
1-17     with Subsection (a).
1-18           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-19           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-20     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-21     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-22     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-23     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.