89R15762 AMF-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1996
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the amount in controversy in the jurisdiction of
statutory county courts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 22.004(h-1), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(h-1) In addition to the rules adopted under Subsection (h),
the supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the prompt,
efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions filed in
county courts at law in which the amount in controversy does not
exceed $325,000 [$250,000]. The rules shall balance the need for
lowering discovery costs in these actions against the complexity of
and discovery needs in these actions. The supreme court may not
adopt rules under this subsection that conflict with other
statutory law.
SECTION 2. Section 25.0003(c), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a
statutory county court exercising civil jurisdiction concurrent
with the constitutional jurisdiction of the county court has
concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
(1) civil cases in which the matter in controversy
exceeds $500 but does not exceed $325,000 [$250,000], excluding
interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and
attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition;
and
(2) appeals of final rulings and decisions of the
division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of
Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of
the amount in controversy.
SECTION 3. Section 25.0007(c), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c) In a civil case pending in a statutory county court in
which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000 [$250,000], the
jury shall be composed of 12 members unless all of the parties agree
to a jury composed of a lesser number of jurors.
SECTION 4. Section 25.0062(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
law in felony cases, in family law cases and proceedings, and in
civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000
[$250,000]. The county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
law in all other cases. The district clerk shall establish a
separate docket for a county court at law. The commissioners court
shall provide the deputy clerks, bailiffs, and other personnel
necessary to operate a county court at law.
SECTION 5. Sections 25.0003(c), 25.0007(c), and
25.0062(b), Government Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to a
civil case filed in a statutory county court on or after the
effective date of this Act. A civil case filed in a statutory
county court before the effective date of this Act is governed by
the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.