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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to trial by special judge of certain matters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 151.001, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 151.001. REFERRAL BY AGREEMENT. On agreement of the |
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parties, in civil [or family] law matters pending in a district |
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court, statutory probate court, or statutory county court, the |
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judge in whose court the case is pending shall [may] order referral |
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of the case as provided by this chapter and shall stay proceedings |
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in the judge's court pending the outcome of the trial. Any or all |
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of the issues in the cases, whether an issue of fact or law, may be |
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referred. |
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SECTION 2. Section 151.001, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to an agreement to refer |
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a case to a special judge made on or after the effective date of this |
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Act. An agreement made to refer a case to a special judge made |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
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effect at the time the agreement was made, and that law is continued |
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in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |