House Bill No. 4081 introduces new provisions to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code regarding the sealing of documents that are alleged to contain trade secrets. The bill adds Section 134A.0065, which outlines the procedures a party must follow to seal such documents. This includes filing a notice of sealing and an affidavit with the trial court and the supreme court, delivering the document in a sealed envelope, and serving copies of the notice and affidavit to all parties involved in the action. Additionally, if a party knows that another person claims a document contains their trade secret, they must also file a notice and a statement identifying the person making the claim.

The bill establishes a timeline for parties to respond to notices regarding the sealing of documents, requiring them to file affidavits within 14 days if they wish to maintain the seal. It also grants the trial court continuing jurisdiction to seal or unseal documents and allows any person to intervene in the process. Furthermore, it stipulates that motions to unseal documents must be served to relevant parties and outlines the criteria under which a court may grant such motions. The provisions of this bill will apply only to documents filed in actions on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

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