House Bill No. 3060 amends the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act of 1983 by adding new provisions that empower the attorney general to initiate civil actions on behalf of individuals or governmental entities for damages resulting from violations of specific sections of the Act. The bill stipulates that the attorney general must notify the relevant governmental entity in writing before proceeding with such actions, allowing the entity to withdraw this authority within 30 days through a formal resolution. The bill also outlines the jurisdiction for these actions, specifying that they can be brought in Travis County or any county where the defendant resides or does business. If the attorney general prevails, they are entitled to recover actual damages, interest, and costs, with provisions for increased damages in cases of willful or flagrant conduct.

Additionally, the bill defines "governmental entity" to include various state and local authorities, ensuring clarity on who can be represented in these actions. It also establishes that any proceeds from successful actions will first cover the state's investigation and prosecution expenses before being deposited into the general revenue fund. The new subsections (d) and (e) will only apply to causes of action that accrue on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Commerce Code 15.21 (Commerce Code 15)