The bill, S.B. No. 2879, amends Section 22.004 of the Government Code to enhance the Texas Supreme Court's rulemaking authority over civil actions. It specifies that all laws and parts of laws governing practice and procedure in civil actions that were enacted before May 15, 1939, are repealed, but it clarifies that substantive law is not repealed. Additionally, the bill introduces new subsections that stipulate that no laws will be superseded until the Supreme Court adopts a corresponding rule, and it requires the court to file a list of any laws that have been superseded when a rule is filed.

The amendments aim to streamline the rulemaking process and ensure clarity regarding the relationship between Supreme Court rules and existing laws. The bill emphasizes that the list of superseded laws will carry the same weight as a court decision, thereby reinforcing the authority of the Supreme Court in civil procedural matters. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 22.004 (Government Code 22)