Texas House Bill HB1793

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a suit against The University of Texas at Tyler.

Impact

This legislation is poised to alter the landscape of legal accountability for The University of Texas at Tyler. By explicitly establishing the venues for legal actions, the bill may influence the decision-making process of potential plaintiffs. The clarity around venue could either empower or deter individuals from pursuing lawsuits, depending on their geographic and personal circumstances. Moreover, the specified counties may increase the likelihood of cases being taken up by local courts, thereby influencing the court's capacity and dynamics in handling higher education-related legal issues.

Summary

House Bill 1793 seeks to amend Section 76.04 of the Texas Education Code, specifically regarding the legal proceedings involving The University of Texas at Tyler. The bill modifies the venue stipulations for lawsuits against the institution, allowing such suits to be filed in either Smith County or Travis County. This is a significant change, as it streamlines the process for legal actions against the university, providing clarity about where such cases can be heard, which can affect access to justice for individuals considering litigation against the institution.

Contention

While the bill presented itself as a necessary clarification, it may face scrutiny regarding the implications of potentially limiting access to legal recourse for individuals who live outside the designated counties. Opponents may argue that the decision to confine lawsuits to specific counties could disadvantage some claimants, especially those from distant locations. There may also be a concern about the broader implications of such bills on how state institutions navigate legal accountability, particularly in the realm of educational governance.