Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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77 th Texas Legislature
• exemplary damages in an amount equal to five times the amount of attorney's fees and costs
awarded.
Provides that an attorney bringing a claim in bad faith is subject to professional discipline for professional
misconduct and to suspension or disbarment for dishonorable conduct. The court must promptly report a
judgment against the attorney to an appropriate grievance committee.
Bars a state court from issuing a temporary restraining order or injunction, permanent injunction, or other
order prohibiting a complainant from communicating with a governmental agency or quasi-governmental
entity concerning the subject matter of a complaint or a claim covered by this act.
State Office of Risk Management Allocates Workers’ Compensation Costs - H.B. 2976
by Representative Dukes
Senate Sponsor: Senator Fraser
Interagency contracts with the State Office of Risk Management (SORM) are requirements of state
agencies to administer the risk management program and partially fund the office. Workers’ compensation
payments incurred by certain state agencies have raised some concerns that more responsibility needs to
be made for accident prevention and loss control programs.
Requires SORM to establish a formula for allocating the state’s workers’ compensation costs to state
agencies in order for state agencies to implement risk management programs.
Texas Funeral Service Commission (Sunset) - H.B. 3067
by Representative Chisum, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Zaffirini
Currently, the Texas Funeral Service Commission (commission) licenses both funeral directors and
embalmers, and enforces violations of the commission's statute.
Continues the commission until September 1, 2003.
Provides that the Health Professions Council (council) consists of 15 (rather than 14) members, with one
member appointed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
Provides that the commission consists of seven (rather than six) members appointed by the governor, with
the advice and consent of the senate, with one member who is a registered cemetery owner or operator.
Adds standard Sunset Commission language regarding training, requirements for membership on the
commission, equal employment opportunity policy, and complaints.
Requires a licensed funeral establishment, except as otherwise provided, to be inspected at least once
every two years (rather than annually) by an agent of the commission or by an agent of the state or a
Senate Research Center 266