By: Carona S.B. No. 1337 99S0813/1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to arbitration of disputes in the workplace. 1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-3 SECTION 1. Section 171.001, Civil Practice and Remedies 1-4 Code, is amended to read as follows: 1-5 Sec. 171.001. Arbitration Agreements Valid. (a) A written 1-6 agreement to arbitrate is valid and enforceable if the agreement is 1-7 to arbitrate a controversy that: 1-8 (1) exists at the time of the agreement; or 1-9 (2) arises between the parties after the date of the 1-10 agreement. 1-11 (b) A party may revoke the agreement only on a ground that 1-12 exists at law or in equity for the revocation of a contract. 1-13 (c) An agreement between an employer and an at-will employee 1-14 to arbitrate a controversy that arises out of the employment 1-15 relationship is valid and enforceable if the agreement complies 1-16 with Subsection (a). 1-17 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-18 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.