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79R1855 SGA-F

By:  Talton                                                       H.B. No. 570



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the application of arbitration agreements to certain 
other agreements.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 171.002(a) and (b), Civil Practice and 
Remedies Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  This chapter does not apply to:                                           
		(1)  a collective bargaining agreement between an 
employer and a labor union;
		(2)  an agreement for the acquisition by one or more 
individuals of personal property, services, money, or credit in 
which the total consideration to be furnished by the individual is 
not more than $100,000 [$50,000], except as provided by Subsection 
(b);
		(2-a)  an agreement for the acquisition by one or more 
individuals of a single-family dwelling in which the total 
consideration to be furnished by the individual is not more than 
$250,000, except as provided by Subsection (b);
		(3)  a claim for personal injury, except as provided by 
Subsection (c);     
		(4)  a claim for workers' compensation benefits; or                           
		(5)  an agreement made before January 1, 1966.                                
	(b)  An agreement described by Subsection (a)(2) or (a)(2-a)
is subject to this chapter if:
		(1)  the parties to the agreement agree in writing to 
arbitrate; and        
		(2)  the agreement is signed by each party and each 
party's attorney.       
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to an arbitration agreement executed on or after the effective date 
of this Act.  An arbitration agreement that was executed before the 
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the 
date the agreement was executed and that law is continued in effect 
for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.