Newsroom
SCOTX Holds That Specific Jurisdictional Grants to County Courts Independent of General Jurisdictional Limits
In a case challenging the jurisdiction of an Hidalgo County court-at-law over a foreclosure of a lien on land, the Texas Supreme Court has held that a specific statutory grant of jurisdiction to Hidalgo County courts trumps the general statute barring a...
Governor Abbott Appoints John Scott As Interim Attorney General Of Texas
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today appointed John Scott as the short-term interim Attorney General of Texas, under Article 15, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution. “John Scott has the background and experience needed to step in as a short-term interim...
New Cause of Action Tracker: How Bad is the Damage?
As you recall, we reported last March that we counted among the introduced bills at least 104 new causes of action or new public enforcement actions against businesses and another 40 against health care providers (as well as 28 against various governmental entities...
SCOTX Holds That Safe Harbor Provision Applies to Operator Who Withheld Payments to Well Owner
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that an operator who withheld payments from oil-and-gas production to a non-operating owner was justified under the “safe-harbor” provision in § 91.402(b), Natural Resources Code. As we reported some months ago, Freeport-McMoran...
Governor Abbott Sets Special Election For Texas House District 2
Governor Greg Abbott last night issued a proclamation announcing Tuesday, November 7, 2023 as the special election date to fill the unexpired term in House District 2 of the Texas House of Representatives. Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the...
El Paso Court of Appeals Rejects Premises Liability Claim Under Tort Claims Act
A student’s mother attended her son’s graduation on the campus of The University of Texas at El Paso. Following the ceremony, the family adjourned to a grassy area on campus to take photos. The mother stepped in grass-covered hole and fell. Her husband described...
How Big of a Problem is SB 14? (Hint: Big)
If you have been reading this page throughout the session, you are aware of our discussions of the implications of SB 14 for business. SB 14, of course, is the bill that prohibits minors from receiving gender transitioning or gender reassignment care. Setting aside...
Last-Minute Deal Saves HB 5 (Economic Development Incentive)
A bill that seems to have had more lives than a Marvel superhero is now headed to the Governor’s desk after House and Senate conferees struck a deal late yesterday. HB 5, the school tax abatement proposal, appeared to have died when conferees could not agree by the...
TCJL To Request Governor to Add Judicial Pay Raise to Special Session (HB 2779)
One of the most unfortunate disagreements between the House and Senate in the waning days of the session has involved a desperately needed pay raises for state district and appellate judges and justices. As it passed the House, HB 2779 raised the base pay for a...
SCOTX Finds Personal Jurisdiction in Products-Liability Case
The Texas Supreme Court has held that Texas courts could exercise personal jurisdiction over two foreign manufacturers that distributed lithium-ion batteries in Texas. LG Chem America, Inc. and LG Chem, Ltd. V. Tommy Morgan (No. 21-0094) arose from an alleged...
TCJL Asks for Veto of Bill Increasing Antitrust Penalties (HB 5232)
Today TCJL requested Governor Abbott to veto HB 5232, which raises penalties for antitrust violations in an arbitrary, unjust, and inequitable manner. A copy of the letter may be read below. [embeddoc...
SCOTX Holds That Political Subdivision Not Immune from Condemnation Lawsuit
In an issue never before directly decided, the Texas Supreme Court has held that a political subdivision does not have governmental immunity from a condemnation proceeding brought by another political subdivision. Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3 v....