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AN ACT
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relating to alternative dispute resolution systems established by |
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counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 152.001, Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 152.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "alternative |
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dispute resolution system" means an informal forum in which |
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mediation, conciliation, or arbitration is used to resolve disputes |
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among individuals, entities, and units of government, including |
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those having an ongoing relationship such as relatives, neighbors, |
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landlords and tenants, employees and employers, and merchants and |
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consumers. |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 152.002, Civil Practice |
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and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commissioners court of a county by order may |
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establish an alternative dispute resolution system for the |
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peaceable and expeditious resolution of [citizen] disputes. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a case referred to a county alternative dispute resolution system |
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on or after the effective date of this Act. A case referred before |
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the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when |
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the case is referred, and the former law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1271 passed the Senate on |
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April 21, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that |
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the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2011, by the |
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following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1271 passed the House, with |
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amendment, on May 23, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 142, |
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Nays 0, one present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |