TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, 74.024
RULES. (a) The supreme court may adopt rules
of administration setting policies and guidelines necessary or
desirable for the operation and management of the court system and
for the efficient administration of justice.
(b) The supreme court shall request the advice of the court
of criminal appeals before adopting rules affecting the
administration of criminal justice.
(c) The supreme court may consider the adoption of rules
relating to:
(1) nonbinding time standards for pleading,
discovery, motions, and dispositions;
(2) nonbinding dismissal of inactive cases from
dockets, if the dismissal is warranted;
(3) attorney's accountability for and incentives to
avoid delay and to meet time standards;
(4) penalties for filing frivolous motions;
(5) firm trial dates;
(6) restrictive devices on discovery;
(7) a uniform dockets policy;
(8) formalization of settlement conferences or
settlement programs;
(9) standards for selection and management of
nonjudicial personnel;
(10) transfer of related cases for consolidated or
coordinated pretrial proceedings; and
(11) the conducting of proceedings under Rule 11,
Rules of Judicial Administration, by a district court outside the
county in which the case is pending.
(d) Any rules adopted under this section remain in effect
unless and until disapproved by the legislature. The clerk of the
supreme court shall file with the secretary of state the rules or
any amendments to the rules adopted by the supreme court under this
section and shall mail a copy of the rules and any amendments to
each registered member of the State Bar not later than the 120th day
before the date on which they become effective. The supreme court
shall allow a period of 60 days for review and comment on the rules
and any amendments. The clerk of the supreme court shall report the
rules or amendments to the rules to the next regular session of the
legislature by mailing a copy of the rules or amendments to the
rules to each elected member of the legislature on or before
December 1 immediately preceding the session.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 674, § 2.01, eff. Sept. 1,
1987. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, § 3.01, eff.
Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 747, § 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728, § 8.001, eff. September 1,
2005.