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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the amount in controversy in the civil jurisdiction of |
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statutory county courts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 22.004(h-1), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(h-1) In addition to the rules adopted under Subsection (h), |
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the supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the prompt, |
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efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions filed in |
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county courts at law in which the amount in controversy does not |
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exceed $325,000 [$250,000]. The rules shall balance the need for |
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lowering discovery costs in these actions against the complexity of |
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and discovery needs in these actions. The supreme court may not |
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adopt rules under this subsection that conflict with other |
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statutory law. |
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SECTION 2. Section 25.0003(c), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a |
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statutory county court exercising civil jurisdiction concurrent |
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with the constitutional jurisdiction of the county court has |
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concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in: |
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(1) civil cases in which the matter in controversy |
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exceeds $500 but does not exceed $325,000 [$250,000], excluding |
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interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and |
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attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition; |
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and |
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(2) appeals of final rulings and decisions of the |
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division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of |
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Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of |
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the amount in controversy. |
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SECTION 3. Section 25.0007(c), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) In a civil case pending in a statutory county court in |
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which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000 [$250,000], the |
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jury shall be composed of 12 members unless all of the parties agree |
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to a jury composed of a lesser number of jurors. |
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SECTION 4. Section 25.0062(b), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at |
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law in felony cases, in family law cases and proceedings, and in |
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civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000 |
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[$250,000]. The county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at |
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law in all other cases. The district clerk shall establish a |
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separate docket for a county court at law. The commissioners court |
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shall provide the deputy clerks, bailiffs, and other personnel |
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necessary to operate a county court at law. |
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SECTION 5. Sections 25.0003(c), 25.0007(c), and |
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25.0062(b), Government Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to a |
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civil case filed in a statutory county court on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. A civil case filed in a statutory |
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county court before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
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the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |