Relating to notices of appeals for matters within the exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth Court of Appeals District.
Summary
HB 5067 narrows when a civil notice of appeal may be filed in a way that seeks assignment to the Texas Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth Court of Appeals District. Under the bill, a party may not file a notice of appeal requesting that court unless the notice identifies a matter arising out of or related to the case that falls within the court’s exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction. In effect, the bill ties the ability to direct an appeal to the Fifteenth Court more closely to the specific jurisdictional category that court is authorized to hear.
The bill also includes a standard applicability clause, making the change apply only to notices of appeal filed on or after the effective date. Notices filed earlier remain governed by prior law. The act would take effect immediately if it receives the constitutionally required two-thirds vote in each chamber; otherwise, it takes effect September 1, 2025.
Impact
HB 5067 amends Section 22.220 of the Texas Government Code by adding a filing restriction for civil notices of appeal involving the Fifteenth Court of Appeals District. It affects appellate procedure rather than substantive rights, and it is aimed at ensuring that only cases involving matters within that court’s exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction can be routed there through the notice of appeal. The practical impact is on litigants, attorneys, and clerks handling civil appeals, as well as on the distribution of cases among Texas appellate courts.
Sentiment
The available record suggests the bill moved through committee without recorded opposition in the provided materials, and it was reported from the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee to Calendars. With no committee transcript excerpts or vote breakdowns provided, there is no evidence of significant controversy in the supplied context. The overall tone appears procedural and technical, focused on clarifying appellate filing requirements rather than advancing a politically divisive policy change.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or votes. Any potential concerns would likely center on whether the filing restriction could create confusion for appellants, limit forum-selection flexibility, or require careful identification of jurisdictional issues at the notice-of-appeal stage. However, the supplied materials do not show any named opponents or expressed objections.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 17.1-405 and 17.1-406 of the Code of Virginia, relating to board of zoning appeals; appellate jurisdiction upon appeal from the circuit court.