Texas House Bill HB4207

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the jurisdiction of a statutory county court in civil cases.

Impact

The change proposed by HB4207 is expected to streamline the judicial process by allowing more cases to be adjudicated within the statutory county court system. By enabling these courts to handle higher-value civil cases, it could alleviate some of the case burdens currently faced by district courts. This move is anticipated to provide more access to justice for Texas residents, especially in less complex civil matters. The bill is also positioned to enhance the efficiency of litigation related to workers' compensation claims by clarifying jurisdictional authority and reducing potential delays in the appeals process.

Summary

House Bill 4207 seeks to amend the jurisdictional limits and authority of statutory county courts in Texas, particularly in civil cases. The bill proposes that these courts will have concurrent jurisdiction with district courts for civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000. This amendment effectively increases the monetary threshold for cases heard in statutory county courts, allowing them to preside over a wider range of civil disputes. Additionally, the bill includes provisions that affirm the concurrent jurisdiction of statutory county courts over appeals from the division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance, regardless of the claim amount.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, some stakeholders might express concerns regarding the implications of increasing the jurisdictional limits of statutory county courts. Critics could argue that this shift might lead to an overcrowding of cases in these courts, which may not have the same resources or infrastructure as district courts to handle large or complex civil claims. Although the bill has strong support for increasing accessibility within the judicial system, the ultimate impact on the balance of case distribution and the resources of county versus district courts remains to be thoroughly evaluated.