SRC-VRA H.B. 1666 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1666
78R458 DAK-DBy: Hartnett (Wentworth)
Jurisprudence
5/9/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

A "structured settlement" is an arrangement for the periodic payment of
damages for personal injury or sickness established by the settlement or
judgment of a tort or workers' compensation claim.  At times, people
entitled to payments under structured settlement sell the rights to these
payments for a discounted lump sum.  The 77th Legislature enacted the
Structured Settlement Protection Act, requiring court approval of
agreements to sell periodic payment rights arising from structured
settlements.  Statutory probate courts, however, were inadvertently
omitted from the definition of "court."  H.B. 1666 corrects this oversight
in the Structured Settlement Protection Act by adding a specific reference
to a statutory probate court.    

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 141.002(2), Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
to include a statutory probate court in the definition of  "court."  

SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.