The bill amends Section 51.014 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to establish specific provisions regarding the stay of proceedings in cases involving interlocutory appeals related to the denial of motions to dismiss, particularly those that pertain to constitutional rights. It introduces new subsections (c-1) and (c-2), which outline the conditions under which a trial and other proceedings in the trial court are stayed. Specifically, if a motion to dismiss is denied for certain reasons, such as being untimely or frivolous, the trial is stayed until the 61st day after the denial order is signed. If the denial does not fall under these specified reasons, the stay remains in effect until the appeal is resolved.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the court of appeals has the authority to stay proceedings based on the likelihood of the appellant's success on the merits or in the interest of justice. The changes made by this Act will only apply to denials of motions to dismiss that occur on or after its effective date, with prior denials governed by the law in effect before this amendment. The Act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Civil Practice and Remedies Code 51.014 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code 51)