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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to discovery requirements related to sworn complaints made |
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to the Texas Ethics Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 571.1242, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (k) to read as follows: |
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(k) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission by rule |
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shall require commission staff and a respondent to agree to a |
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discovery control plan that outlines procedures for conducting |
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discovery under this section in connection with a sworn complaint. |
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The discovery control plan must: |
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(1) be approved by the commission before discovery |
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begins; |
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(2) comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, |
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except that the commission shall determine the level of discovery |
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under Rule 190, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, appropriate for the |
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category of the violation alleged in a complaint; |
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(3) establish discovery limits and a deadline by which |
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discovery must be completed; and |
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(4) establish a deadline by which the commission must: |
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(A) propose an agreement to the respondent to |
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settle the complaint without holding a preliminary hearing; or |
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(B) dismiss the complaint. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |