Bill > SB1996

This bill increases the jurisdictional amount in controversy for statutory county courts in Texas from $250,000 to $325,000, which affects several sections of the Government Code. Specifically, the bill modifies rules for civil actions in county courts at law, expanding their concurrent jurisdiction with district courts for cases where the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $325,000. The changes also impact jury composition requirements, with 12-member juries now mandated for civil cases exceeding $325,000, and alter which clerk (district or county) serves as the court clerk based on the amount in controversy. The bill applies only to civil cases filed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that existing cases are governed by the previous legal standard. By raising the jurisdictional threshold, the bill effectively allows county courts at law to handle a broader range of civil cases, potentially reducing the burden on district courts and providing more efficient access to judicial proceedings for cases within this monetary range.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1996