HBA-MSH H.B. 1119 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1119
By: Dutton
Civil Practices
4/3/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Governmental units in Texas have sovereign immunity from suit which is
waived only  under specific conditions.  When immunity is waived, the
liability of the state government is limited to money damages in a maximum
amount of $250,000 for each person and $500,000 for each single occurrence
for bodily injury or death and $100,000 for each single occurrence for
injury to or destruction of property.  The liability of a unit of local
government, a municipality, and an emergency service organization is
limited to lesser amounts in such situations.  In some cases, the damages
awarded are insufficient.  House Bill 1119 establishes the same liability
for all governmental units and increases the maximum damages that may be
awarded for a claim against a governmental unit. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1119 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to limit the
liability of a governmental unit other than a volunteer fire department or
volunteer fire fighter to money damages of a maximum of $500,000 for each
person, $2 million for each single occurrence for bodily injury or death
and $500,000 for each single occurrence for injury or destruction of
property. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.