78R5285 SGA-D

By:  Miller                                                       H.B. No. 2347



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the distribution of exemplary damages in civil suits.             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 41, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is 
amended by adding Section 41.014 to read as follows:
	Sec. 41.014.  PAYMENT OF AWARDS TO GENERAL REVENUE FUND.  (a)  
The court shall order an award of exemplary damages in an action be 
paid to the comptroller for deposit in the general revenue fund.
	(b)  The provisions of this section may not be made known to 
the jury through any means, including voir dire, introduction into 
evidence, or instruction.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after that 
date. An action that accrues before the effective date of this Act 
is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective 
date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that 
purpose.