Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3336 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	~~86R22549~~ SRS-F
	1	+	86R6850 SRS-F
2	2		By: Leach H.B. No. 3336
3		-	Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3336:
4		-	By: Meyer C.S.H.B. No. 3336
5	3
6	4
7	5		A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
8	6		AN ACT
9	7		relating to the jurisdiction of, and practices and procedures in
10	8		civil cases before, justice courts, county courts, statutory county
11	9		courts, and district courts.
12	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
13	11		SECTION 1. Section 22.004(h), Government Code, is amended
14	12		to read as follows:
15	13		(h) The supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the
16	14		prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil
17	15		actions. The rules shall apply to civil actions in district
18	16		courts, county courts at law, and statutory probate courts in which
19	17		the amount in controversy[, inclusive of all claims for damages of
20	18		any kind, whether actual or exemplary, a penalty, attorney's fees,
21	19		expenses, costs, interest, or any other type of damage of any kind,]
22	20		does not exceed $250,000 [$100,000]. The rules shall address the
23	21		need for lowering discovery costs in these actions and the
24	22		procedure for ensuring that these actions will be expedited in the
25	23		civil justice system. The supreme court may not adopt rules under
26	24		this subsection that conflict with other statutory law [a provision
27	25		of:
28	26		[(1) Chapter 74, Civil Practice and Remedies Code;
29	27		[(2) the Family Code;
30	28		[(3) the Property Code; or
31	29		[(4) the Tax Code].
32		-	SECTION 2. Section 25.0003(c), Government Code, is amended
	30	+	SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
	31	+	amended by adding Section 22.023 to read as follows:
	32	+	Sec. 22.023. PILOT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
	33	+	(a) Subject to the legislature providing adequate funding, the
	34	+	supreme court shall select 10 counties in this state for the
	35	+	establishment of pilot programs that allow the trial courts in a
	36	+	county to experiment with practices and procedures to enhance
	37	+	access by persons in this state to the civil justice system. The
	38	+	goal of establishing the pilot programs is to identify specific
	39	+	practices and procedures to:
	40	+	(1) lower the cost of civil cases; and
	41	+	(2) decrease the time required to resolve civil cases.
	42	+	(b) The supreme court shall require at least one pilot
	43	+	program to:
	44	+	(1) reduce the amount of discovery allowed before
	45	+	trial in civil cases; and
	46	+	(2) restrict the number of and reasons for requests
	47	+	for continuances for civil cases.
	48	+	(c) The supreme court, in cooperation with the Office of
	49	+	Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System, shall collect
	50	+	and maintain the information necessary to determine for each pilot
	51	+	program established under this section the success of the program
	52	+	in enhancing access to the civil justice system.
	53	+	(d) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
	54	+	the supreme court shall submit a report describing each pilot
	55	+	program and detailing the program's results to the:
	56	+	(1) governor;
	57	+	(2) lieutenant governor; and
	58	+	(3) speaker of the house of representatives.
	59	+	(e) The supreme court shall promulgate temporary rules of
	60	+	administration and civil procedure as necessary to implement this
	61	+	section. Nothing in this section impairs the ability of the supreme
	62	+	court to adopt rules it considers necessary under its existing
	63	+	statutory and constitutional authority.
	64	+	(f) This section expires September 1, 2025.
	65	+	SECTION 3. Section 25.0003(c), Government Code, is amended
33	66		to read as follows:
34	67		(c) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a
35	68		statutory county court exercising civil jurisdiction concurrent
36	69		with the constitutional jurisdiction of the county court has
37	70		concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
38	71		(1) civil cases in which the matter in controversy
39	72		exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000 [$200,000], excluding
40	73		interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and
41	74		attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition;
42	75		and
43	76		(2) appeals of final rulings and decisions of the
44	77		division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of
45	78		Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of
46	79		the amount in controversy.
47		-	SECTION 3. Section 25.0007, Government Code, is amended by
	80	+	SECTION 4. Section 25.0007, Government Code, is amended by
48	81		amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
49	82		follows:
50	83		(b) Practice in a statutory county court is that prescribed
51	84		by law for county courts, except that practice, procedure, rules of
52	85		evidence, issuance of process and writs, the drawing of jury
53	86		panels, the selection of jurors, and all other matters pertaining
54	87		to the conduct of trials and hearings in the statutory county
55	88		courts[, other than the number of jurors,] that involve those
56	89		matters of concurrent jurisdiction with district courts are
57	90		governed by the laws and rules pertaining to the district courts in
58	91		the county in which the statutory county court is located. This
59	92		section does not affect local rules of administration adopted under
60	93		Section 74.093.
61	94		(c) In a civil case pending in a statutory county court in
62	95		which the matter in controversy is $250,000 or more, the jury shall
63	96		be composed of 12 members unless all of the parties agree to a jury
64	97		composed of a lesser number of jurors.
65		-	SECTION 4. Section 25.0052(a), Government Code, as amended
	98	+	SECTION 5. Section 25.0052(a), Government Code, as amended
66	99		by Chapters 614 (S.B. 1428) and 746 (H.B. 66), Acts of the 72nd
67	100		Legislature, Regular Session, 1991, is reenacted and amended to
68	101		read as follows:
69	102		(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
70	103		25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Angelina County has:
71	104		(1) concurrent with the county court, the probate
72	105		jurisdiction provided by general law for county courts; and
73	106		(2) concurrent jurisdiction with the district court
74	107		in[:
75	108		[(A) civil cases in which the matter in
76	109		controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $50,000, excluding
77	110		interest; and
78	111		[(B)] family law cases and proceedings.
79		-	SECTION 5. Section 25.0102(h), Government Code, is amended
	112	+	SECTION 6. Section 25.0102(h), Government Code, is amended
80	113		to read as follows:
81	114		(h) If a family law case or proceeding is tried before a
82	115		jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members; in all other cases
83	116		the jury shall be composed of six members except as provided by the
84	117		constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law.
85		-	SECTION 6. Section 25.0202(a), Government Code, is amended
	118	+	SECTION 7. Section 25.0202(a), Government Code, is amended
86	119		to read as follows:
87	120		(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
88	121		25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Bosque County has
89	122		concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
90	123		(1) family law cases and proceedings; and
91	124		(2) [civil cases in which the matter in controversy
92	125		exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000, excluding interest,
93	126		court costs, and attorney's fees; and
94	127		[(3)] contested probate matters under Section 32.003,
95	128		Estates Code.
96		-	SECTION 7. Section 25.0222(m), Government Code, is amended
	129	+	SECTION 8. Section 25.0222(m), Government Code, is amended
97	130		to read as follows:
98	131		(m) When a jury trial is requested in a case of concurrent
99	132		jurisdiction between the district courts and statutory county
100	133		courts, and the case was instituted in district court, the jury
101	134		shall be composed of 12 members. In all other cases in which a jury
102	135		trial is requested in the statutory county courts the jury shall be
103	136		composed of six jurors except as provided by the constitution,
104	137		Section 25.0007(c), or other law.
105		-	SECTION 8. Section 25.0362(f), Government Code, is amended
	138	+	SECTION 9. Section 25.0362(f), Government Code, is amended
106	139		to read as follows:
107	140		(f) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a jury
108	141		in a county court at law shall be composed of six members except as
109	142		provided by [unless] the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other
110	143		law [requires a 12-member jury]. Failure to object before a
111	144		six-member jury is seated and sworn constitutes a waiver of a
112	145		12-member jury. In matters in which the constitution or other law
113	146		does not require a 12-member jury and the county court at law has
114	147		concurrent jurisdiction with the district court, the jury may be
115	148		composed of 12 members if a party to the suit requests a 12-member
116	149		jury [and the judge of the court consents]. In a civil case tried
117	150		in a county court at law, the parties may, by mutual agreement [and
118	151		with the consent of the judge], agree to try the case with any
119	152		number of jurors and have a verdict rendered and returned by the
120	153		vote of any number of those jurors that is less than the total
121	154		number of jurors.
122		-	SECTION 9. Section 25.0722(i), Government Code, is amended
	155	+	SECTION 10. Section 25.0722(i), Government Code, is amended
123	156		to read as follows:
124	157		(i) If a family law case or proceeding is tried before a
125	158		jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members. In all other cases
126	159		the jury shall be composed of six members except as provided by the
127	160		constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law.
128		-	SECTION 10. Section 25.0812(k), Government Code, is amended
	161	+	SECTION 11. Section 25.0812(k), Government Code, is amended
129	162		to read as follows:
130	163		(k) If a jury trial is requested in a case of concurrent
131	164		jurisdiction between the district courts and the county courts at
132	165		law, and the case was instituted in the district court, the jury
133	166		shall be composed of 12 members. In all other cases in which a jury
134	167		trial is requested in the county courts at law, the jury shall be
135	168		composed of six members except as provided by the constitution,
136	169		Section 25.0007(c), or other law.
137		-	SECTION 11. Section 25.0862(n), Government Code, is amended
	170	+	SECTION 12. Section 25.0862(n), Government Code, is amended
138	171		to read as follows:
139	172		(n) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a
140	173		county court at law's jurisdiction as provided by Subsection (a),
141	174		the jury shall be composed of six members unless the constitution,
142	175		Section 25.0007(c), or other law requires a 12-member jury.
143	176		Failure to object before a six-member jury is seated and sworn
144	177		constitutes a waiver of a 12-member jury.
145		-	SECTION 12. Section 25.0942(l), Government Code, is amended
	178	+	SECTION 13. Section 25.0942(l), Government Code, is amended
146	179		to read as follows:
147	180		(l) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a jury
148	181		in a county court at law shall be composed of six members, unless
149	182		the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law requires a
150	183		12-member jury. Failure to object before a six-member jury is
151	184		seated and sworn constitutes a waiver of a 12-member jury. In
152	185		matters in which the constitution or other law does not require a
153	186		12-member jury and the county court at law has concurrent
154	187		jurisdiction with the district court, the jury shall be composed of
155	188		12 members if a party to the suit requests a 12-member jury. In a
156	189		civil case tried in a county court at law, the parties may, by
157	190		mutual agreement [and with the consent of the judge], agree to try
158	191		the case with any number of jurors and have a verdict rendered and
159	192		returned by the vote of any number of those jurors that is less than
160	193		the total number of jurors.
161		-	SECTION 13. Section 25.1042(h), Government Code, is amended
	194	+	SECTION 14. Section 25.1042(h), Government Code, is amended
162	195		to read as follows:
163	196		(h) A jury must be composed of 12 members in[:
164	197		[(1) any civil case pending in which the amount in
165	198		controversy is $200,000 or more; and
166	199		[(2)] any felony case.
167		-	SECTION 14. Sections 25.1132(c) and (o), Government Code,
	200	+	SECTION 15. Sections 25.1132(c) and (o), Government Code,
168	201		are amended to read as follows:
169	202		(c) A county court at law in Hood County has concurrent
170	203		jurisdiction with the district court in:
171	204		(1) [civil cases in which the matter in controversy
172	205		exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000, excluding interest;
173	206		[(2)] family law cases and related proceedings;
174	207		(2) [(3)] contested probate matters under Section
175	208		32.003(a), Estates Code; and
176	209		(3) [(4)] contested matters in guardianship
177	210		proceedings under Section 1022.003(a), Estates Code.
178	211		(o) If a family law case or proceeding is tried before a jury
179	212		in a county court at law, the jury shall be composed of 12 members.
180	213		In all other cases, the jury shall be composed of six members except
181	214		as provided by the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law.
182		-	SECTION 15. Section 25.1142(b), Government Code, is amended
	215	+	SECTION 16. Section 25.1142(b), Government Code, is amended
183	216		to read as follows:
184	217		(b) A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
185	218		(1) [civil cases in which the amount in controversy
186	219		exceeds $200,000, excluding interest;
187	220		[(2)] felony jury trials;
188	221		(2) [(3)] suits on behalf of the state to recover
189	222		penalties or escheated property;
190	223		(3) [(4)] misdemeanors involving official misconduct;
191	224		or
192	225		(4) [(5)] contested elections.
193		-	SECTION 16. Sections 25.1252(j) and (m), Government Code,
	226	+	SECTION 17. Sections 25.1252(j) and (m), Government Code,
194	227		are amended to read as follows:
195	228		(j) If a family law case or proceeding is tried before a jury
196	229		in a county court at law, the jury shall be composed of 12 members.
197	230		In all other cases, the jury shall be composed of six members except
198	231		as provided by the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law
199	232		[A county court at law may exercise the jurisdiction vested in the
200	233		district court for the drawing, selection, and service of jurors. A
201	234		panel not exceeding 24 jurors shall be drawn for any one week of a
202	235		court, and the juries selected may not exceed six].
203	236		(m) Section [Sections] 25.0006 does [and 25.0007 do] not
204	237		apply to the county courts at law of Jefferson County.
205		-	SECTION 17. Sections 25.1272(b) and (h), Government Code,
	238	+	SECTION 18. Sections 25.1272(b) and (h), Government Code,
206	239		are amended to read as follows:
207	240		(b) A county court at law in Jim Wells County has concurrent
208	241		jurisdiction with the district court in:
209	242		(1) [civil cases in which the matter in controversy
210	243		exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000, excluding interest;
211	244		[(2)] family law cases and proceedings;
212	245		(2) [(3)] Class A and Class B misdemeanors;
213	246		(3) [(4)] juvenile cases; and
214	247		(4) [(5)] appeals from justice and municipal courts.
215	248		(h) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a
216	249		county court at law's jurisdiction, the jury shall be composed of
217	250		six members unless the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other
218	251		law requires a 12-member jury. Failure to object before a
219	252		six-member jury is seated and sworn constitutes a waiver of a
220	253		12-member jury.
221		-	SECTION 18. Sections 25.1412(a) and (p), Government Code,
	254	+	SECTION 19. Sections 25.1412(a) and (p), Government Code,
222	255		are amended to read as follows:
223	256		(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
224	257		25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Lamar County has:
225	258		(1) concurrent jurisdiction with the district court
226	259		in:
227	260		(A) probate matters and proceedings, including
228	261		will contests;
229	262		(B) family law cases and proceedings, including
230	263		juvenile cases; and
231	264		(C) felony cases to conduct arraignments and
232	265		pretrial hearings and to accept guilty pleas; and
233	266		[(D) civil cases in which the amount in
234	267		controversy does not exceed $200,000, excluding interest; and]
235	268		(2) concurrent jurisdiction with the county and
236	269		district courts over all suits arising under the Family Code.
237	270		(p) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a jury
238	271		in a county court at law shall be composed of six members unless the
239	272		constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law requires a 12-member
240	273		jury. Failure to object before a six-member jury is seated and
241	274		sworn constitutes a waiver of a 12-member jury. In matters in
242	275		which the constitution or other law does not require a 12-member
243	276		jury and the county court at law has concurrent jurisdiction with
244	277		the district court, the jury may be composed of 12 members if a
245	278		party to the suit requests a 12-member jury and the judge of the
246	279		court consents. In a civil case tried in a county court at law, the
247	280		parties may, by mutual agreement [and with the consent of the
248	281		judge], agree to try the case with any number of jurors and have a
249	282		verdict rendered and returned by the vote of any number of those
250	283		jurors that is less than the total number of jurors.
251		-	SECTION 19. Section 25.1722(f), Government Code, is amended
	284	+	SECTION 20. Section 25.1722(f), Government Code, is amended
252	285		to read as follows:
253	286		(f) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the
254	287		constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law, juries in a county
255	288		court at law shall be composed of six members. Juries in family law
256	289		cases and proceedings shall be composed of 12 members, unless the
257	290		parties agree to a six-member jury.
258		-	SECTION 20. Section 25.1732(l), Government Code, is amended
	291	+	SECTION 21. Section 25.1732(l), Government Code, is amended
259	292		to read as follows:
260	293		(l) A jury in a county court at law is composed of six
261	294		persons unless the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law
262	295		requires a 12-member jury.
263		-	SECTION 21. Section 25.1802(o), Government Code, is amended
	296	+	SECTION 22. Section 25.1802(o), Government Code, is amended
264	297		to read as follows:
265	298		(o) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a
266	299		county court at law's jurisdiction, the jury shall be composed of
267	300		six members unless the constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other
268	301		law requires a 12-member jury. Failure to object before a
269	302		six-member jury is seated and sworn constitutes a waiver of a
270	303		12-member jury.
271		-	SECTION 22. Section 25.1862(k), Government Code, is amended
	304	+	SECTION 23. Section 25.1862(k), Government Code, is amended
272	305		to read as follows:
273	306		(k) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a
274	307		county court at law's jurisdiction as provided by Subsection (a),
275	308		the jury shall be composed of six members unless the constitution,
276	309		Section 25.0007(c), or other law requires a 12-member jury.
277	310		Failure to object before a six-member jury is seated and sworn
278	311		constitutes a waiver of a 12-member jury.
279		-	SECTION 23. Section 25.2142(v), Government Code, is amended
	312	+	SECTION 24. Section 25.2142(v), Government Code, is amended
280	313		to read as follows:
281	314		(v) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the
282	315		constitution, Section 25.0007(c), or other law, juries in a county
283	316		court at law shall be composed of six members. In matters of
284	317		concurrent jurisdiction with the district court to which Section
285	318		25.0007(c) does not apply, if a party to the suit requests a
286	319		12-member jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members. In a
287	320		civil case tried in a county court at law, the parties may, by
288	321		mutual agreement [and with the consent of the judge], agree to try
289	322		the case with any number of jurors and agree to have a verdict
290	323		rendered and returned by the vote of any number of jurors less than
291	324		all those hearing the case.
292		-	SECTION 24. Section 25.2232(a), Government Code, is amended
	325	+	SECTION 25. Section 25.2232(a), Government Code, is amended
293	326		to read as follows:
294	327		(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
295	328		25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Taylor County has[:
296	329		[(1)] concurrent jurisdiction with the county court in
297	330		the trial of cases involving insanity and approval of applications
298	331		for admission to state hospitals and special schools if admission
299	332		is by application[; and
300	333		[(2) concurrent jurisdiction with the district court
301	334		in civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but
302	335		does not exceed $200,000, excluding interest].
303		-	SECTION 25. Section 25.2292(d), Government Code, is amended
	336	+	SECTION 26. Section 25.2292(d), Government Code, is amended
304	337		to read as follows:
305	338		(d) In civil cases, the jury is composed of six members
306	339		except as otherwise provided by the constitution, Section
307	340		25.0007(c), or other law. Failure to object before a six-member
308	341		jury is seated and sworn constitutes a waiver of a 12-member jury
309	342		[unless:
310	343		[(1) the amount in controversy exceeds $100,000; and
311	344		[(2) a party to the case files a written request for a
312	345		12-member jury not later than the 30th day before the date of the
313	346		trial].
314		-	SECTION 26. Section 25.2362(i), Government Code, is amended
	347	+	SECTION 27. Section 25.2362(i), Government Code, is amended
315	348		to read as follows:
316	349		(i) If a jury trial is requested in a case that is in a
317	350		county court at law's jurisdiction, the jury shall be composed of
318	351		six members unless the constitution or other law requires a
319	352		12-member jury.
320		-	SECTION 27. Section 25.2412(j), Government Code, is amended
	353	+	SECTION 28. Section 25.2412(j), Government Code, is amended
321	354		to read as follows:
322	355		(j) If a case or proceeding in which a county court at law
323	356		has concurrent jurisdiction with a district court is tried before a
324	357		jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members, except as provided
325	358		by Section 25.0007(c). In all other cases, the jury shall be
326	359		composed of six members except as provided by the constitution or
327	360		other law.
328		-	SECTION 28. Section 25.2462(k), Government Code, is amended
	361	+	SECTION 29. Section 25.2462(k), Government Code, is amended
329	362		to read as follows:
330	363		(k) A jury in a county court at law shall be composed of six
331	364		members except as provided by the constitution, Section 25.0007(c),
332	365		or other law.
333		-	SECTION 29. Section 25.2482(l), Government Code, is amended
	366	+	SECTION 30. Section 25.2482(l), Government Code, is amended
334	367		to read as follows:
335	368		(l) A jury in a county court at law shall be composed of six
336	369		members except as provided by the constitution, Section 25.0007(c),
337	370		or other law.
338		-	SECTION 30. Section 25.2512(a), Government Code, is amended
	371	+	SECTION 31. Section 25.2512(a), Government Code, is amended
339	372		to read as follows:
340	373		(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
341	374		25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Wise County has:
342	375		(1) concurrent with the county court, the probate
343	376		jurisdiction provided by general law for county courts; and
344	377		(2) concurrent jurisdiction with the district court
345	378		in:
346	379		(A) eminent domain cases; and
347	380		(B) [civil cases in which the amount in
348	381		controversy exceeds $500, but does not exceed $200,000, excluding
349	382		interest and attorney's fees; and
350	383		[(C)] family law cases and proceedings.
351		-	SECTION 31. Section 26.042(a), Government Code, is amended
	384	+	SECTION 32. Section 26.042(a), Government Code, is amended
352	385		to read as follows:
353	386		(a) A county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the
354	387		justice courts in civil cases in which the matter in controversy
355	388		exceeds $200 in value but does not exceed $20,000 [$10,000],
356	389		exclusive of interest.
357		-	SECTION 32. Section 27.031(a), Government Code, is amended
	390	+	SECTION 33. Section 27.031(a), Government Code, is amended
358	391		to read as follows:
359	392		(a) In addition to the jurisdiction and powers provided by
360	393		the constitution and other law, the justice court has original
361	394		jurisdiction of:
362	395		(1) civil matters in which exclusive jurisdiction is
363	396		not in the district or county court and in which the amount in
364	397		controversy is not more than $20,000 [$10,000], exclusive of
365	398		interest;
366	399		(2) cases of forcible entry and detainer;
367	400		(3) foreclosure of mortgages and enforcement of liens
368	401		on personal property in cases in which the amount in controversy is
369	402		otherwise within the justice court's jurisdiction; and
370	403		(4) cases arising under Chapter 707, Transportation
371	404		Code, outside a municipality's territorial limits.
372		-	SECTION 33. Section 62.301, Government Code, is amended to
	405	+	SECTION 34. Section 62.301, Government Code, is amended to
373	406		read as follows:
374	407		Sec. 62.301. NUMBER OF JURORS. The jury in the county
375	408		courts and in the justice courts is composed of six persons except
376	409		as provided by the constitution or other law.
377		-	SECTION 34. The following provisions of the Government Code
	410	+	SECTION 35. The following provisions of the Government Code
378	411		are repealed:
379	412		(1) Section 25.0007(a);
380	413		(2) Section 25.1092(p);
381	414		(3) Sections 25.2292(a) and (m); and
382	415		(4) Section 25.2392(i).
383		-	SECTION 35. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Supreme
	416	+	SECTION 36. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Supreme
384	417		Court of Texas shall adopt rules as necessary to implement Section
385	418		22.004(h), Government Code, as amended by this Act.
386		-	SECTION 36. This Act applies only to a cause of action filed
	419	+	SECTION 37. This Act applies only to a cause of action filed
387	420		on or after the effective date of this Act. A cause of action filed
388	421		before that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before
389	422		that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
390		-	SECTION 37. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
	423	+	SECTION 38. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.