relating to the creation of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals with
jurisdiction over certain civil cases, the compensation of the
justices of that court, and the jurisdiction of the courts of
appeals in this state; authorizing fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
ARTICLE 1. FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
SECTION 1.01. Section 22.201, Government Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (p) to read as
follows:
(a) The state is organized [divided] into 15 [14] courts of
appeals districts with a court of appeals in each district.
(p)The Fifteenth Court of Appeals District is composed of
all counties in this state.
SECTION 1.02. Subchapter C, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 22.2151 to read as follows:
Sec.22.2151.FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS. (a) The Court of
Appeals for the Fifteenth Court of Appeals District shall be held in
the City of Austin.
(b)The facilities made available to other courts of appeals
under this subchapter, including furnishings and equipment, shall
be made available to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals District and the
justices of that court without expense to this state.
(c)The Fifteenth Court of Appeals may transact its business
in any county in the district as the court determines is necessary
and convenient.
SECTION 1.03. Section 22.216, Government Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (n-1) to read as follows:
(n-1)The Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth Court of
Appeals District consists of a chief justice and of four justices
holding places numbered consecutively beginning with Place 2.
SECTION 1.04. Section 22.220, Government Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), each [Each] court
of appeals has appellate jurisdiction of all civil cases within its
district of which the district courts or county courts have
jurisdiction when the amount in controversy or the judgment
rendered exceeds $250, exclusive of interest and costs.
(d)The Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth Court of Appeals
District has exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction over
the following matters arising out of or related to a civil case:
(1)matters brought by or against the state or a board,
commission, department, office, or other agency in the executive
branch of the state government, including a university system or
institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003,
Education Code, or by or against an officer or employee of the state
or a board, commission, department, office, or other agency in the
executive branch of the state government arising out of that
officer's or employee's official conduct, other than:
(A)a proceeding brought under the Family Code
and any related motion or proceeding;
(B)a proceeding brought under Chapter 7B or
Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(C)a proceeding brought against a district
attorney, a criminal district attorney, or a county attorney with
criminal jurisdiction;
(D)a proceeding relating to a mental health
commitment;
(E)a proceeding relating to civil asset
forfeiture;
(F)a condemnation proceeding for the
acquisition of land or a proceeding related to eminent domain;
(G)a proceeding brought under Chapter 125, Civil
Practice and Remedies Code, to enjoin a common nuisance;
(H)a proceeding brought under Chapter 55, Code
of Criminal Procedure;
(I)a proceeding under Chapter 22A, Government
Code;
(J)a proceeding brought under Subchapter E-1,
Chapter 411, Government Code;Statutes affected: Introduced: Government Code 22.201, Government Code 22.216, Government Code 22.220, Government Code 22.221, Government Code 22.229, Government Code 73.001, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 2001.038, Government Code 2001.176, Occupations Code 2301.751, Utilities Code 39.001, Government Code 31.001 (Utilities Code 39, Government Code 659, Government Code 31, Government Code 73, Government Code 22, Occupations Code 2301, Government Code 2001)