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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to persons considered to exercise certain constitutional |
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rights for purposes of a motion to dismiss certain civil actions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 27.003, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) For purposes of Subsection (a), only a party to a |
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legal action is considered to exercise the right of free speech, |
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right to petition, or right of association in the bringing or |
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defending of the legal action. A person hired by the party to assist |
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the party in the legal action, including an attorney, expert |
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witness, or paralegal, is not considered to exercise the right of |
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free speech, right to petition, or right of association in |
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connection with the bringing or defending of that legal action. |
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SECTION 2. Section 27.003(a-1), Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, as added by this Act, is intended only to clarify existing law |
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with respect to the authority to bring a motion to dismiss. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |