bill raising the county court civil cap to $325,000

The text as introduced · 493 words

89R15762 AMF-D

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 1996

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the amount in controversy in the jurisdiction of

statutory county courts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 22.004(h-1), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(h-1) In addition to the rules adopted under Subsection (h),

the supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the prompt,

efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions filed in

county courts at law in which the amount in controversy does not

exceed $325,000 [ $250,000 ]. The rules shall balance the need for

lowering discovery costs in these actions against the complexity of

and discovery needs in these actions. The supreme court may not

adopt rules under this subsection that conflict with other

statutory law.

SECTION 2. Section 25.0003(c), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(c) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a

statutory county court exercising civil jurisdiction concurrent

with the constitutional jurisdiction of the county court has

concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:

(1) civil cases in which the matter in controversy

exceeds $500 but does not exceed $325,000 [ $250,000 ], excluding

interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and

attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition;

and

(2) appeals of final rulings and decisions of the

division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of

Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of

the amount in controversy.

SECTION 3. Section 25.0007(c), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(c) In a civil case pending in a statutory county court in

which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000 [ $250,000 ], the

jury shall be composed of 12 members unless all of the parties agree

to a jury composed of a lesser number of jurors.

SECTION 4. Section 25.0062(b), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(b) The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at

law in felony cases, in family law cases and proceedings, and in

civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000

[ $250,000 ]. The county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at

law in all other cases. The district clerk shall establish a

separate docket for a county court at law. The commissioners court

shall provide the deputy clerks, bailiffs, and other personnel

necessary to operate a county court at law.

SECTION 5. Sections 25.0003(c), 25.0007(c), and

25.0062(b), Government Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to a

civil case filed in a statutory county court on or after the

effective date of this Act. A civil case filed in a statutory

county court before the effective date of this Act is governed by

the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act,

and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.