TITLE: Relating to noneconomic damage liability for a collision with a motorist who failed to establish financial responsibility.

SUMMARY: Relating to noneconomic damage liability for a collision with a motorist who failed to establish financial responsibility.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to noneconomic damage liability for a collision with a motorist who failed to establish financial responsibility. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 72, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Subchapter Cto read as follows: SUBCHAPTER C. LIABILITY FOR COLLISION WITH CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS AND OPERATORS Sec. 72.101. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "financial responsibility" has the meaning assigned by Section 601.002, Transportation Code. Sec. 72.102. PROHIBITED RECOVERY OF NONECONOMIC DAMAGES. (a) An individual may not recover noneconomic damages for the individual's injury or property damage sustained as a result of a motor vehicle collision for which the individual failed to establish financial responsibility in accordance with Chapter 601, Transportation Code. (b) The personal representative of an individual described by Subsection (a) who died as a result of a motor vehicle collision may not recover noneconomic damages in a wrongful death action brought under Subchapter A, Chapter 71, for the individual's death. SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, is an exercise of authority under Section 66(c), Article III, Texas Constitution, and takes effect only if this Act receives a vote of three-fifths of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Subsection (e) of that section. SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.