Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2973 by Hunter (Relating to encouraging public participation by citizens by protecting a person's right to petition, right of free speech, and right of association from meritless lawsuits arising from actions taken in furtherance of those rights.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to provide for the handling of lawsuits based on an individual's exercise of rights of free speech, petition or association. To the extent the bill would amend court procedures, the bill may result in the expedition of such cases, but any positive impact on judicial workloads or fiscal implication to the state is not anticipated to be significant. The bill would take immediate effect if the bill receives two-thirds the vote of all members in both houses. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council