2023年5月25日，得克萨斯州立法机构通过了HB 19法案，该法案旨在设立专门的商业法庭。该法案现将提交州长审议。以下是您需要了解的要点：
1. 州长很可能会在收到HB 19法案后签署该法案 。根据《德克萨斯州宪法》第4条第14款，州长收到法案后可选择签署、否决或默许其成为法律。立法会议初期，州长阿博特曾表示："我们希望设立具备专业能力的专门法庭来处理商业诉讼。" 杰森·怀特利，《阿灵顿：州长阿博特主张设立独立商业纠纷法庭》，WFAA电视台（2023年2月22日下午3:34）。 尽管州长阿博特并未直接提及HB 19法案，但该法案编号低于20的事实表明其被众议院议长列为"优先法案"（议长特设前20号众议院法案编号用于此类法案）。议长将就优先立法与州长密切协作，因此HB 19极可能获得州长签署生效。
2. HB 19将于2023年9月1日生效，但仅适用于2024年9月1日或之后提起的诉讼。HB 19第9条规定"本法自2023年9月1日起生效"。H.B. 19 § 9, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. （德克萨斯州2023年）。然而该法案第8条明确指出："本法修订的法律条款适用于2024年9月1日或之后提起的民事诉讼"，第5条则规定："除本法另有规定外，商业法庭将于2024年9月1日设立"。 同上 第8条及第5条。这一年过渡期将用于完成若干前期准备工作，包括：(1) 法官任命及参议院确认程序（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.009(a)及(b)条）； (2) 制定关于案件移送与移交的民事诉讼规则，以及案件分配给商业法庭法官的规则（拟议第25A.020(a)条）；(3) 制定符合《德克萨斯州民事诉讼规则》和《德克萨斯州证据规则》的实践与程序规则（拟议第25A.020(b)条）； 以及(4) 通过商业法院书面意见书发布规则（拟议第25A.016条），以及法院书记员处理移送案件的规则（拟议第25A.006(g)条）。H.B. 19号法案，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A条）。
3. Five divisions of the court will be created effective September 1, 2024, with the fate of an additional six divisions to be deferred until the 2025 Legislative Session. HB19 creates one statewide business court judicial district, with eleven Business Court Divisions (which are geographically aligned with the 11 Judicial Administrative Regions in the state). H.B. 19, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023) (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.003(a)-(m)). The five divisions containing the major urban areas in and around Dallas (1st), Austin (3rd), San Antonio (4th), Fort Worth (8th), and Houston (11th) will be created effective as of September 1, 2024. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.003(c), (e)-(f), (j), and (m)); H.B. 19 § 5, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023). The remaining six divisions, which cover the more rural areas of the state, will only be created if funded by the Legislature during the 2025 legislative session; otherwise, “[t]he division is abolished on September 1, 2026, unless reauthorized by the legislature and funded through additional legislative appropriations.” Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.003(d), (g)-(i), (k)-(l)).
4. Business court judges will be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a fixed term, and subject to certain qualifications. The Governor will appoint up to 16 business court judges, who will be subject to senate confirmation. H.B. 19, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023) (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.009(a)). Each of the judges will be assigned to one of the up to eleven Business Court Divisions (depending on how many beyond the first five are actually created by the Legislature next legislative session). Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.003(b)-(m)). Judges will serve for two years beginning on September 1 of every even numbered year (beginning on September 1, 2024) and may be reappointed. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.003(b)-(c)). A qualified retired or former judge or justice may be assigned as a visiting judge by the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and is subject to objection, disqualification, or recusal in the same manner as other visiting judges. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.014(a)).
要获得商业法庭法官的任职资格，必须：
-年满35周岁；
-是美国公民；
-在法官被任命前，须已在该法官所任职的商业法庭辖区内某县居住至少五年；
-须为本州持牌执业律师，且在下列任一领域累计拥有十年或以上执业经验：(a) 处理复杂民事商业诉讼；(b) 从事商业交易法律实务；或(c) 在本州具有民事管辖权的法院担任法官。
H.B. 19，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.008(a)条）..
Additionally, a business court judge may not have had their license to practice law revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.008(b)).
5.HB 19法案根据诉讼类型、争议金额以及是否涉及上市公司等因素，为设立的商业法院设定了分级管辖制度。
A. 根据HB 19设立的法院，在争议金额超过500万美元（不含利息、法定损害赔偿金、惩罚性赔偿金、罚款、律师费及诉讼费）时，对下列"内部治理"行为拥有与地区法院并列的民事管辖权：
-衍生诉讼程序（定义为“依据《商业组织法典》规定，以国内或外国公司、国内或外国有限责任公司或国内或外国有限合伙名义提起的民事诉讼”）。H.B. 19号法案，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.001(2)条）；
-涉及组织治理、管理文件或内部事务的行动；
-一项诉讼行为，其中依据州或联邦证券或贸易监管法律对某组织、特定以官方身份行事的控制或管理人员、该组织证券的承销商或该组织的审计师提出索赔主张；
-由组织或所有者提起的诉讼：a) 针对所有者或特定控制或管理人员提起，且 b) 指控该人员以其所有者或控制/管理人员身份实施的行为或疏忽；
-指控某所有者或特定控制或管理人员因其所有者或特定控制或管理人员身份而违反对组织或所有者所负义务的诉讼，包括违反忠诚义务或善意义务的行为；
-要求组织所有者或管理人员对组织义务承担责任的诉讼，但因该责任人以所有者或管理人员身份以外的身份签署书面合同而承担责任的情况除外；以及
-根据《商业组织法典》提起的诉讼。
H.B. 19，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州，2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.004(b)(1)-(7)条）。
B. 根据HB 19设立的法院，在涉及上市公司作为诉讼当事方的案件中，将与地区法院就上述A节所列诉讼享有同等民事管辖权，且不受争议金额限制。H.B. 19，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.004(c)条）。
C. 根据HB 19设立的法院在涉及下列诉讼时，将与地区法院享有并列民事管辖权，前提是争议金额超过1000万美元（不包括利息、法定损害赔偿、惩罚性赔偿、罚金、律师费及诉讼费用）：
-源于合格交易的行为（定义为“除银行、信用合作社或储蓄贷款机构涉及贷款或资金/信贷预支的交易外，任何一方： (A) 支付或收取、或有义务支付或有权收取总价值至少1000万美元的对价；或 (B) 贷款、预付、借款、收取、有义务贷款或预付、或有权借款或收取总价值至少1000万美元的资金或信贷"。H.B. 19, 第88届立法会例会 （德克萨斯州2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.001(14)条）；
-因合同或商业交易产生的诉讼，且合同或交易各方在合同或后续协议中约定商业法院对此诉讼具有管辖权，但因保险合同产生的诉讼除外；以及
-因组织或代表该组织行事的官员或管理人员违反《财政法典》或《商业与贸易法典》而引发的诉讼，但银行、信用合作社或储蓄贷款协会除外，且须符合拟议《政府法典》第25A.004(g)条所载的特定管辖权排除条款（详见本客户提示第6项）。
H.B. 19，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.004(d)条）。
6. The courts created under HB 19 will have the authority to hear matters seeking injunctive or declaratory relief, – and to provide injunctive, mandamus, garnishment, and other relief – on matters over which the courts have statutory jurisdiction. HB 19 provides that “[t]he business court has civil jurisdiction concurrent with district courts in an action seeking injunctive relief or a declaratory judgment under Chapter 37, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, involving a dispute based on a claim within the court’s jurisdiction under Subsection (b), (c), or (d)” (discussed in Item 4 of this client alert). H.B. 19, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023) (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.004(e)). The bill also provides that for the matters over which the courts have statutory jurisdiction, “business court[s have] the powers provided to district courts by Chapter 24, including the power to: (1) issue writs of injunction, mandamus, sequestration, attachment, garnishment, and supersedeas; and (2) grant any relief that may be granted by a district court. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.004(a)).
7. Subject to certain exceptions, the courts created under HB 19 have supplemental jurisdiction, but only if agreed to by the parties and the judge. HB 19 provides that “[e]xcept as provided by Subsection (h), the business court has supplemental jurisdiction over any other claim related to a case or controversy within the court’s jurisdiction that forms part of the same case or controversy.” H.B. 19, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023) (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.004(f)). The exceptions in Section (h) are: “(1) a claim arising under Chapter 74, Civil Practice and Remedies Code [pertaining to medical liability]; (2) a claim in which a party seeks recovery of monetary damages for bodily injury or death; or (3) a claim of legal malpractice.” Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.004(h)). Note however that, “a claim within the business court’s supplemental jurisdiction may proceed in the business court only on the agreement of all parties to the claim and a judge of the division of the court before which the action is pending.” Id. Absent that agreement, “the claim [covered by the supplemental jurisdiction of the business court] may proceed in a court of original jurisdiction concurrently with any related claims proceeding in the business court.” Id.
8.在不存在补充管辖权的情况下，《HB 19法案》明确规定了特定诉求的管辖权范围。除非诉求属于法院的补充管辖权范畴，根据《HB 19法案》设立的商业法院明确不具有以下事项的管辖权：
-民事诉讼：（A）由政府实体提起或针对政府实体提起的诉讼；或（B）为对不动产或动产上的留置权进行强制执行而提起的诉讼；
-因下列条款产生的索赔：(A)《商业与贸易法典》第15章E分章及第17章[涉及竞业禁止协议、反垄断及欺诈性商业行为]； (B) 《遗产法》；(C) 《家庭法》；(D) 《保险法》；或(E) 《财产法》第53章及第9编[涉及机械工、承包商或材料供应商留置权及信托事项]。
-因生产或销售农产品而产生的索赔，该术语的定义见《商业与贸易法典》第9.102条；
-根据《商业与贸易法典》第601.001条定义的消费者交易相关索赔，该索赔涉及本州消费者作为当事人，且源于违反联邦或州法律的行为；或
-一项与保险单项下权利义务相关的索赔。
H.B. 19，第88届立法会例会（德克萨斯州，2023年）（拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》第25A.004(g)(1)-(5)条）。
9. Actions may be originally filed in a business court or removed from the court in which they were originally filed. For originally filed actions, HB 19 provides that “[t]he party filing the action must plead facts to establish venue in a county in a division of the business court.” H.B. 19, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023) (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.00(a)). For removed actions, absent agreement of all parties to the action, a notice of removal must be filed: “(1) not later than the 30th day after the date the party requesting removal of the action discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, facts establishing the business court’s jurisdiction over the action; or (2) if an application for temporary injunction is pending on the date the party requesting removal of the action discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, facts establishing the business court’s jurisdiction over the action, not later than the 30th day after the date the application is granted, denied, or denied as a matter of law.” Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.006(f)).
Removal of a case to the business court is not subject to the statutes or rules governing the due order of pleading, nor does removal of a case waive a defect in venue or constitute an appearance to determine personal jurisdiction. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.006(i)-(j)). However, notices of removal are subject to the “reasonable inquiry” requirements of Section 10.001 of the Civil Practice & Remedies Code. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.006(h)). Further, upon a request by the judge before whom an action is pending, a matter may be transferred by the presiding judge for the court’s administrative region, after notice to the parties and a hearing. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.006(k)).
10. Business court cases may be tried to a jury, subject to certain venue provisions. Parties to actions in the business courts created by HB 19 have a right to a trial by jury, when required by the constitution. H.B. 19, 88th Leg. Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2023) (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.015(a)). Unless venue is fixed in a written contract, or otherwise agreed to by the parties and the court: (1) a jury trial in a case filed initially in the business court shall be held in any county in which the case could have been filed under Section 15.002, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as chosen by the plaintiff; and (2) a jury trial in a case removed to the business court shall be held in the county in which the action was originally filed. Id.</a>; (proposed Tex. Gov’t Code § 25A.015(b), (e)).
11.商业法庭案件的上诉将可能移交新设立的第十五上诉法院审理。众议院第19号法案规定："除本款(b)项另有规定外，且在最高法院具有并行或专属管辖权的情况下，第十五上诉法院对商业法庭命令或判决的上诉，以及与商业法庭诉讼或命令相关的原审程序，具有专属管辖权。" H.B. 19, 第88届立法会例会(德克萨斯州2023年)(拟议《德克萨斯州政府法典》§ 25A.007(a))。第(b)款涉及立法机构未设立第十五上诉法院的应急方案。同上，第(b)款。 得州立法机构通过SB 1045法案设立第十五上诉法院，该法案已于2023年5月23日通过并提交州长签署。若SB 1045法案获得签署生效且拨款到位，第十五上诉法院将设于奥斯汀，其法官初始由州长任命，随后通过选举产生。更多SB1045法案详情请参见此处。
12. HB 19法案可能面临法律挑战。反对者质疑立法机构试图将商业法院组织为一个全州性司法辖区下设多个分庭的法定法院的做法是否符合宪法要求。参见例如：Janet Elliott，《商业法院法案引发强烈反弹，诉讼双方律师联手反对》，《德克萨斯法律书刊》（2023年4月20日），https://texaslawbook.net/backlash-to-business-court-bill-unites-litigators-from-both-sides-of-the-docket/。反对派在立法过程中持续提出宪法异议，立法机构已针对性地对法案作出多项修订。 值得注意的是，HB19法案将"针对本法案或其任何部分合宪性的挑战"的专属初审管辖权授予德克萨斯州最高法院，并可就此类挑战颁布禁令救济或宣告性救济。该法案是否会面临司法挑战尚待观察，若挑战成立，则可能延缓甚至彻底扼杀德克萨斯州商业法庭的设立进程。
