S.B. No. 1271
AN ACT
relating to alternative dispute resolution systems established by
counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 152.001, Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 152.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "alternative
dispute resolution system" means an informal forum in which
mediation, conciliation, or arbitration is used to resolve disputes
among individuals, entities, and units of government, including
those having an ongoing relationship such as relatives, neighbors,
landlords and tenants, employees and employers, and merchants and
consumers.
SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 152.002, Civil Practice
and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) The commissioners court of a county by order may
establish an alternative dispute resolution system for the
peaceable and expeditious resolution of [citizen] disputes.
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a case referred to a county alternative dispute resolution system
on or after the effective date of this Act. A case referred before
the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when
the case is referred, and the former law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1271 passed the Senate on
April 21, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2011, by the
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1271 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 23, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 142,
Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor