82R3827 TJS-D By: Wentworth S.B. No. 358 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the waiver of sovereign and governmental immunity in this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 5, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Chapter 113 to read as follows: CHAPTER 113. SOVEREIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY WAIVED Sec. 113.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "governmental unit" has the meaning assigned by Section 101.001. Sec. 113.002. WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN AND GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY IN THIS STATE. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this title or any other law to the contrary, the sovereign and governmental immunity of a governmental unit from suit or from liability for damages in any amount is waived. (b) To the extent of any conflict in other law with this section, this section prevails. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.