82R6886 CAE-F By: Zedler H.B. No. 1240 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the application of foreign and international laws and doctrines in this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Chapter 148 to read as follows: CHAPTER 148. APPLICATION OF FOREIGN AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND DOCTRINES Sec. 148.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "foreign or international law or doctrine" means a law, rule, legal code, or principle of a jurisdiction outside of the states and territories of the United States, including international law, that is not codified or recognized by this state or the United States. Sec. 148.002. DECISION BASED ON FOREIGN OR INTERNATIONAL LAW OR DOCTRINE. A court, arbitrator, or administrative adjudicator may not base a ruling or decision on: (1) a foreign or international law or doctrine; or (2) a prior ruling or decision that was based on a foreign or international law or doctrine. SECTION 2. Section 148.002, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a ruling or decision that becomes final on or after the effective date of this Act. A ruling or decision that becomes final before the effective date of this Act and any appeal of that ruling or decision are governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.