85R25011 CAE-F
 
  By: Murr H.B. No. 2574
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2574:
 
  By:  Murr C.S.H.B. No. 2574
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to rules adopted by the Texas Supreme Court to promote the
  expedited resolution of a civil action.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 22.004(h), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (h)  The supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the
  prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions.  
  The rules shall apply to civil actions in district courts, county
  courts at law, and statutory probate courts in which the amount in
  controversy, inclusive of all claims for damages of any kind,
  whether actual or exemplary, a penalty, [attorney's fees,]
  expenses, costs, interest, or any other type of damage of any kind,
  does not exceed $100,000.  Attorney's fees are not included in
  determining the amount in controversy under this subsection.  
  Notwithstanding any other law, the rules shall provide that
  attorney's fees awarded in an action under this subsection may not
  exceed $50,000.  The rules shall address the need for lowering
  discovery costs in these actions and the procedure for ensuring
  that these actions will be expedited in the civil justice system.  
  The supreme court may not adopt rules under this subsection that
  conflict with a provision of:
               (1)  Chapter 74, Civil Practice and Remedies Code;
               (2)  the Family Code;
               (3)  the Property Code; or
               (4)  the Tax Code.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2018, the Texas Supreme
  Court shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 22.004(h),
  Government Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.