Bill
Bill > HB4688
summary
Introduced
03/12/2025
03/12/2025
In Committee
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Introduced Session
89th Legislature Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT relating to civil liability of a commercial motor vehicle owner or operator.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the civil liability rules for commercial motor vehicle owners and operators in Texas by adjusting how employers can be held liable for damages caused by their employees. Under the new provisions, if an employer defendant stipulates that the vehicle operator was their employee acting within the scope of employment, the employer's liability for ordinary negligence will be based solely on the legal doctrine of respondeat superior (which holds employers responsible for their employees' actions). The bill prevents claimants from presenting evidence of employee negligence in the first phase of a bifurcated trial, but still allows claimants to pursue other types of negligence claims against the employer, such as negligent maintenance, repair, or loading. Additionally, claimants can still seek exemplary damages in the second phase of a trial. The bill will apply to legal actions commenced on or after September 1, 2025, and will not retroactively affect trials already in progress. This legislation aims to provide clearer guidelines for determining employer liability in commercial motor vehicle accident cases while preserving avenues for appropriate legal recourse.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (62)
Jeff Leach (R)*,
Janie Lopez (R)*,
Daniel Alders (R),
Trent Ashby (R),
Jeffrey Barry (R),
Cecil Bell (R),
Keith Bell (R),
Greg Bonnen (R),
Ben Bumgarner (R),
Angie Button (R),
Briscoe Cain (R),
Giovanni Capriglione (R),
David Cook (R),
Charles Cunningham (R),
Pat Curry (R),
Jay Dean (R),
Mano DeAyala (R),
Paul Dyson (R),
Caroline Fairly (R),
James Frank (R),
Gary Gates (R),
Stan Gerdes (R),
Ryan Guillen (R),
Sam Harless (R),
Cody Harris (R),
Caroline Harris Davila (R),
Richard Hayes (R),
Cole Hefner (R),
Hillary Hickland (R),
Lacey Hull (R),
Carrie Isaac (R),
Stan Kitzman (R),
Stan Lambert (R),
Brooks Landgraf (R),
Terri Leo-Wilson (R),
J.M. Lozano (R),
John Lujan (R),
Don McLaughlin (R),
John McQueeney (R),
Will Metcalf (R),
Morgan Meyer (R),
Penny Morales Shaw (D),
Candy Noble (R),
Tom Oliverson (R),
Angelia Orr (R),
Jared Patterson (R),
Dennis Paul (R),
Keresa Richardson (R),
Nate Schatzline (R),
Alan Schoolcraft (R),
Matt Shaheen (R),
Joanne Shofner (R),
Shelby Slawson (R),
David Spiller (R),
Valoree Swanson (R),
Carl Tepper (R),
Steve Toth (R),
Ellen Troxclair (R),
Cody Vasut (R),
Denise Villalobos (R),
Trey Wharton (R),
Terry Wilson (R),
Last Action
Committee report sent to Calendars (on 05/12/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4688 |
| BillText | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB04688H.htm |
| Analysis (House Committee Report) | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/analysis/html/HB04688H.htm |
| Fiscal Note (House Committee Report) | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/fiscalnotes/html/HB04688H.htm |
| Fiscal Note (Introduced) | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/fiscalnotes/html/HB04688I.htm |
| BillText | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB04688I.htm |
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