89R17005 MZM-F
By: Birdwell S.B. No. 2782
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to discovery requirements related to sworn complaints made
to the Texas Ethics Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 571.1242, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:
(k) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission by rule
shall require commission staff and a respondent to agree to a
discovery control plan that outlines procedures for conducting
discovery under this section in connection with a sworn complaint.
The discovery control plan must:
(1) be approved by the commission before discovery
begins;
(2) comply with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure,
except that the commission shall determine the level of discovery
under Rule 190, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, appropriate for the
category of the violation alleged in a complaint;
(3) establish discovery limits and a deadline by which
discovery must be completed; and
(4) establish a deadline by which the commission must:
(A) propose an agreement to the respondent to
settle the complaint without holding a preliminary hearing; or
(B) dismiss the complaint.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.