TITLE: Relating to the definition of "governmental unit" for purposes of the Texas Tort Claims Act.

SUMMARY: Relating to the definition of "governmental unit" for purposes of the Texas Tort Claims Act.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the definition of "governmental unit" for purposes of the Texas Tort Claims Act. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 101.001(3), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows: (3) "Governmental unit" means: (A) this state and all the several agencies of government that collectively constitute the government of this state, including other agencies bearing different designations, and all departments, bureaus, boards, commissions, offices, agencies, councils, and courts; (B) a political subdivision of this state, including any city, county, school district, junior college district, levee improvement district, drainage district, irrigation district, water improvement district, water control and improvement district, water control and preservation district, freshwater supply district, navigation district, conservation and reclamation district, soil conservation district, communication district, public health district, and river authority; (C) an emergency service organization; [and] (D) any other institution, agency, or organ of government the status and authority of which are derived from the Constitution of Texas or from laws passed by the legislature under the constitution;and (E) a unit of a political subdivision, including a municipally owned water utility authorized by Section 552.017, Local Government Code.SECTION 2. Section 101.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.