| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral |
Relating to the jurisdiction of, and practices and procedures in civil cases before, justice courts, county courts, statutory county courts, and district courts.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The Texas Supreme Court is required to adopt rules to promote the prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions in district courts, county courts at law, and statutory probate courts.
SB 2342 would increase the amount in controversy in cases to which these rules apply from $100,000 to $250,000, and would remove the specification that the amount is inclusive of all claims for damages of any kind. The bill would also increase from $200,000 to $250,000 the maximum amount in controversy in civil cases over which most statutory county courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the district court.
Additionally, this bill would require a jury in a civil case pending in a statutory county court in which the matter in controversy is $250,000 or more to be composed of 12 members unless all parties agree to a lesser number.
Finally, this bill would increase from $10,000 to $20,000 the maximum amount in controversy in civil cases over which a county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the justice courts and in civil matters over which a justice court has original jurisdiction if exclusive jurisdiction is not in the district or county courts.
Texas Action supports SB 2342 because it promotes limited government by increasing judicial expediency and access to the civil justice system.