HBA-NIK H.B. 2994 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2994 By: Culberson Civil Practices 4/12/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law allows an appeal of a denial of a motion for summary judgment only if based either on an assertion of immunity by an individual who is a state employee, or a claim against or defense by a member of the media. H.B. 2994 allows a denial of a motion for a summary judgment in a district court, county court at law, or county court to be appealed if the summary judgment motion involved a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for the difference of opinion and the resolution of which may materially advance the ultimate end of the litigation. 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 51.014(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to include, in the enumerated authorizations for appeal from an interlocutory order of a district court, court at law, or county court, the denial of a motion for summary judgment that involves a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for the difference of opinion, and the resolution of which may materially advance the ultimate end of the litigation. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.