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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the prompt resolution of appeals in civil actions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 22.004, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (i), (j), and (k) to read as follows: |
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(i) The supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the |
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prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of an appeal in a |
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civil action. The rules shall apply to all courts of appeals and the |
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supreme court. The rules shall address the need for the full and |
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final disposition of: |
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(1) an appeal not later than one year after the date a |
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party perfects the appeal; and |
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(2) an expedited and interlocutory appeal not later |
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than three months after the date a party perfects the appeal. |
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(j) The supreme court shall adopt rules that establish a |
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procedure to uphold, without opinion, a lower court's judgment or |
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order that is the subject of an appeal that the appellate court has |
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failed to dispose of within the applicable period described by |
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Subsection (i). |
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(k) The supreme court shall adopt rules that require a court |
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of appeals to publish or post a list of cases that have been pending |
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with the court for six months or more on the websites of the court of |
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appeals and the supreme court and on the front entrance of the |
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courthouse where the court conducts proceedings. The list must |
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include the: |
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(1) case name; |
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(2) case number; |
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(3) description of the case as it appears on the |
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docketing statement; |
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(4) date the party perfected the appeal; and |
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(5) number of calendar days the case has been pending. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than May 1, 2014, the Texas Supreme |
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Court shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Sections |
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22.004(i), (j), and (k), Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |