Newsroom

Following a long day and night of drama on the last day the Senate could consider bills on second or third reading, eminent domain reform (HB 2730) passed the Senate at around 4 a.m. on May 27. The bill now goes to the Governor. HB 2730 marks the culmination of six...

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has called on Governor Abbott to call a special session in June to revive three controversial and divisive bills that died on the House Calendar yesterday: SB 10 (taxpayer funded lobbying), SB 12 (social media censorship), and SB 29...

We have been tracking the progress of HB 3, the omnibus pandemic response bill, since House Calendars Committee Chair Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) filed it in late February. As originally filed, the bill contained liability language significantly different from and...

After three sessions of discussion and negotiation between owners, contractors, architects, and engineers, legislation limiting duty to defend clauses in contracts for architectural or engineering services is one step from final passage. HB 2116 by Rep. Matt Krause...

HB 19, the trucking litigation reform bill, passed the Senate on May 19 and is set on today's House Eligible Items List. We expect Chairman Leach to concur in the Senate amendments later this evening. The Senate version makes the following changes in the version...

SB 6, which extends liability protections for premises owners, product manufacturers, and health care providers during a pandemic emergency, has passed the Texas House by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 133-10.  The bill now returns to the Senate with the...

In a decision that may throw open the door to a new frontier of attorney’s fee litigation, a deeply divided Texas Supreme Court has permitted an insured to file a declaratory judgment action to adjudicate tort damages in an automobile accident involving an...

Updated Friday, 5-21-21, 3:30pm CST TCJL Pandemic Liability Task Force The House Calendars Committee had previously set SB 6 on the Friday calendar, but it has since been moved to the Sunday calendar. If you have not already done so, please email your legislators...

Updated 5-21-21 HB 2730 passed Senate Jurisprudence last night and was recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Senator Koklhorst has the option to leave it on Local or move it to the Intent Calendar.  Either way, it should be before the full Senate...

The Texas House today gave initial approval to SB 22 by Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster)/Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco). SB 22 amends §607.052, Government Code, to add state and local government detention officers and TDCJ custodial officers to the list of first...

Today the House passed on to the voters a proposed constitutional amendment enhancing the practice and residency requirements of candidates for the Texas Supreme Court and trial courts. SJR 47 by Sen. Joan Huffman/Rep. Jeff Leach would raise the eligibility...

The 87th Legislature hit the first major deadline this week.  All house bills that haven't passed the House by today are dead, with the exception of the few dozen local bills waiting for placement on a Local & Consent Calendar.  House members worked late into...