HBA-ATS, PDH H.B. 1141 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1141 By: Thompson Civil Practices 6/1/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislature, Section 30.15 (Provision of Current Address of Party in Civil Action), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, required each party to a civil suit to provide the party's address to the clerk of a court and provided that this information was confidential absent the express authorization of the court. In order to comply with the confidentiality requirement of Section 30.15, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a court had to maintain separate files for all civil actions filed with the court. Rule 76a (Sealing Court Records), Rules of Civil Procedure, currently provides a mechanism to seal court records when the court determines that confidentiality is necessary. H.B. 1141 repeals the confidentiality requirement of Section 30.15, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and specifies the courts to which this section applies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 30.015(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to specify the courts to which written notice of each party's name and current residence or business address must be given when a civil action is filed. SECTION 2.Repealer: Section 30.015(g) (regarding the confidentiality and disclosure of information provided to the court clerk), Civil Practice and Remedies Code. SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.