84R5862 CAE-F
 
  By: Schofield H.B. No. 3459
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to service of process in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
  amended by adding Section 30.023 to read as follows:
         Sec. 30.023.  PROCESS SERVERS.  (a) Notwithstanding the
  Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and except as provided by Subsection
  (b), any process in a suit, including citation and other notices,
  writs, orders, and other papers issued by a court, may be served by
  any individual who:
               (1)  is 18 years of age or older; and
               (2)  is not a party to the suit or interested in the
  outcome of the suit.
         (b)  Unless otherwise authorized by written court order,
  only a sheriff or constable may serve:
               (1)  a citation in an action of forcible entry and
  detainer;
               (2)  a writ that requires the actual taking of
  possession of a person, property, or thing; or
               (3)  a writ requiring that an enforcement action be
  physically enforced by the person delivering the process.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies to the service of process on or
  after the effective date of this Act, without regard to whether the
  suit commenced before, on, or after that date.
         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, 2015.