85R6740 CAE-F     By: Murr H.B. No. 2574       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to rules adopted by the Texas Supreme Court to promote the   expedited resolution of a civil action.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 22.004(h), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (h)  The supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the   prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil   actions.  The rules shall apply to civil actions in district   courts, county courts at law, and statutory probate courts in which   the amount in controversy, inclusive of all claims for damages of   any kind, whether actual or exemplary, a penalty, [attorney's   fees,] expenses, costs, interest, or any other type of damage of any   kind, does not exceed $200,000 [$100,000]. Attorney's fees are not   included in determining the amount in controversy under this   subsection. The rules shall address the need for lowering discovery   costs in these actions and the procedure for ensuring that these   actions will be expedited in the civil justice system. The supreme   court may not adopt rules under this subsection that conflict with a   provision of:                (1)  Chapter 74, Civil Practice and Remedies Code;                (2)  the Family Code;                (3)  the Property Code; or                (4)  the Tax Code.          SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2018, the Texas Supreme   Court shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 22.004(h),   Government Code, as amended by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.