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.