reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Govt Code § 54.910 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter N. Criminal Law Magistrates in Bexar County|Section 54.910. Witness

Sec. 54.910.  WITNESS.  (a)  A witness who appears before a magistrate and is sworn is subject to the penalties for perjury provided by law.(b)  A referring court may issue attachment against and may fine or imprison a witness whose failure to appear after being summoned or whose refusal to answer questions has been certified to the court.|Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1068, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.|
TX Govt Code § 54.911 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter N. Criminal Law Magistrates in Bexar County|Section 54.911. Papers Transmitted to Judge

Sec. 54.911.  PAPERS TRANSMITTED TO JUDGE.  At the conclusion of the proceedings, a magistrate shall transmit to the referring court any papers relating to the case, including the magistrate's findings, conclusions, orders, recommendations, or other action taken.|Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1068, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.|
TX Govt Code § 54.912 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter N. Criminal Law Magistrates in Bexar County|Section 54.912. Judicial Action

Sec. 54.912.  JUDICIAL ACTION.  (a)  A referring court may modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit for further information any action taken by the magistrate.(b)  If the court does not modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit an action of the magistrate, the action becomes the decree of the court.(c)  At the conclusion of each term during which the services of a magistrate are used, the referring court shall enter a decree on the minutes adopting the actions of the magistrate of which the court approves.|Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1068, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.|
TX Govt Code § 54.970 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.970. Application

Sec. 54.970.  APPLICATION.  This subchapter applies to the district courts and the county courts at law that give preference to criminal cases in Travis County.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 979, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Govt Code § 54.971 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.971. Appointment

Sec. 54.971.  APPOINTMENT.  (a)  The Commissioners Court of Travis County shall set the number of magistrates needed to perform the duties authorized by this subchapter.(b)  The judges of the district courts subject to this subchapter shall, with the consent and approval of the Commissioners Court of Travis County, jointly appoint the magistrates that will assist the district courts.  Each magistrate's appointment under this subsection must be made with the unanimous approval of the judges of the district courts subject to this subchapter.(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), if the number of magistrates is less than the number of the appointing judges, each magistrate shall serve equally in the courts of those judges.(d)  The judges of the county courts at law subject to this subchapter shall, with the consent and approval of the Commissioners Court of Travis County, jointly appoint the magistrates that will assist the county courts at law.  Each magistrate's appointment under this subsection must be made with the unanimous approval of the judges of the county courts at law subject to this subchapter.(e)  In addition to the requirements of Subsection (b) or (d), a magistrate appointed to assist only one court must be approved by the judge of that court.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 979, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Govt Code § 54.972 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.972. Qualifications

Sec. 54.972.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must:(1)  be a resident of this state and of Travis County;  and(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state for at least four years.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.973 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.973. Compensation

Sec. 54.973.  COMPENSATION.  (a)  A magistrate is entitled to the salary determined by the Commissioners Court of Travis County.(b)  The salary may not be less than the salary authorized to be paid to a master for family law cases appointed under Subchapter A, Chapter 201, Family Code, unless a lesser salary is recommended by the judges described by Section 54.971 and approved by the commissioners court.(c)  The magistrate's salary is paid from the county fund available for payment of officers' salaries.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 861, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.|
TX Govt Code § 54.974 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.974. Judicial Immunity

Sec. 54.974.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY.  A magistrate has the same judicial immunity as a district judge or a judge of a county court at law, as applicable.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 979, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Govt Code § 54.975 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.975. Termination of Services

Sec. 54.975.  TERMINATION OF SERVICES.  (a)  A magistrate who serves a single court serves at the will of the judge.  (b)  The services of a magistrate who serves more than one court may be terminated by a majority vote of the appointing judges.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.976 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.976. Proceedings That May Be Referred

Sec. 54.976.  PROCEEDINGS THAT MAY BE REFERRED.  (a)  A judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case or matter relating to a criminal case for proceedings involving:(1)  a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and sentencing;(2)  a pretrial motion;(3)  an examining trial;(4)  a writ of habeas corpus;(5)  a bond forfeiture suit;(6)  issuance of search warrants;(7)  setting, setting conditions, modifying, revoking, and surrendering of bonds, including surety bonds;(8)  arraignment of defendants;(9)  a motion to increase or decrease a bond;(10)  a motion to revoke community supervision or to proceed to an adjudication;(11)  an issue of competency or a civil commitment under Chapter 46, 46B, or 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure, with or without a jury;(12)  a motion to modify community supervision;(13)  specialty court proceedings, including drug court proceedings, veterans treatment court proceedings, and driving while intoxicated court proceedings;(14)  an expunction or a petition for nondisclosure;(15)  an occupational driver's license;(16)  a waiver of extradition;(17)  the issuance of subpoenas and orders requiring the production of medical records, including records relating to mental health or substance abuse treatment; and(18)  any other matter the judge considers necessary and proper.(b)  A magistrate may select a jury.  A magistrate may not preside over a contested criminal trial on the merits, regardless of whether the trial is before a jury.(c)  A judge may refer to a magistrate any proceeding involving an application for a protective order under Title 4, Family Code, or Section 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure.(d)  A judge may refer to a magistrate proceedings involving a grand jury, including issuance of grand jury subpoenas, receipt of grand jury reports on behalf of a district judge, the granting of a grand jury request to recess, motions to compel testimony, and discharge of a grand jury at the end of a term.  A magistrate may not impanel a grand jury.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 413, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 979, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 864 (H.B. 3856), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1205 (S.B. 1474), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2015.|
TX Govt Code § 54.977 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.977. Order of Referral

Sec. 54.977.  ORDER OF REFERRAL.  (a)  To refer one or more cases or matters to a magistrate, a judge must issue an order of referral specifying the magistrate's duties.(b)  An order of referral may:(1)  limit the powers of the magistrate and direct the magistrate to report only specific issues, do particular acts, or receive and report on evidence only;(2)  set the time and place for the hearing;(3)  prescribe a closing date for the hearing;(4)  provide a date for filing the magistrate's findings;(5)  designate proceedings for more than one case over which the magistrate shall preside;(6)  direct the magistrate to call the court's docket;  and(7)  set forth general powers and limitations of authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.(c)  A judge may issue a general order of referral authorizing the magistrate to act on certain types of matters without requiring an order for each referral.  Items that may be in the general order of referral include:(1)  waivers of extradition;(2)  search warrants;(3)  bench warrants;(4)  grand jury subpoenas;(5)  subpoenas and orders requiring the production of medical records, including records relating to mental health and substance abuse treatment; and(6)  records and other matters relating to the grand jury.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 864 (H.B. 3856), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.|
TX Govt Code § 54.979 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.979. Record of Proceedings

Sec. 54.979.  RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS.  At the request of a party the court shall provide that the proceedings before the magistrate be recorded.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.980 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.980. Witness

Sec. 54.980.  WITNESS.  (a)  A witness who appears before a magistrate and is sworn is subject to the penalties for perjury provided by law.(b)  A referring court may issue attachment against and may fine or imprison a witness whose failure to appear after being summoned or whose refusal to answer questions has been certified to the court.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.981 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.981. Papers Transmitted to the Judge

Sec. 54.981.  PAPERS TRANSMITTED TO THE JUDGE.  (a)  At the conclusion of the proceedings, a magistrate shall transmit to the referring court any papers relating to the case, including the magistrate's findings, conclusions, orders, recommendations, or other action taken.(b)  A party has seven days after the date of the magistrate's ruling to tender to the referring court any objections to the magistrate's ruling on pretrial matters.  The referring court shall consider any objections before taking final action.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.982 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.982. Judicial Action

Sec. 54.982.  JUDICIAL ACTION.  (a)  A referring court may modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit for further information any action taken by the magistrate.(b)  If the court does not modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit an action of the magistrate, the action becomes the decree of the court.(c)  At the conclusion of each term during which the services of a magistrate are used, the referring court shall enter a decree on the minutes adopting the actions of the magistrate of which the court approves.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.984 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter Q. Criminal Law Magistrates in Travis County|Section 54.984. Criminal Law Magistrates

Sec. 54.984.  CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATES.  (a)  If a criminal law magistrate appointed under this subchapter is absent or unable to serve, the judge referring the case may appoint another criminal law magistrate to serve for the absent magistrate.(b)  A criminal law magistrate serving for another magistrate under this section has the powers and shall perform the duties of the magistrate for whom he is serving.|Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 849, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991.|
TX Govt Code § 54.991 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.991. Appointment

Sec. 54.991.  APPOINTMENT.  (a)  The judges of the district courts in Webb County shall jointly appoint the number of criminal law magistrates set by the commissioners court.(b)  Each magistrate's appointment must be unanimously approved by the judges.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.992 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.992. Qualifications

Sec. 54.992.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must be a resident of this state and Webb County.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.993 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.993. Compensation

Sec. 54.993.  COMPENSATION.  A magistrate is entitled to the salary determined by the commissioners court.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.994 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.994. Judicial Immunity

Sec. 54.994.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY.  A magistrate has the same judicial immunity as a district judge.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.995 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.995. Order of Referral

Sec. 54.995.  ORDER OF REFERRAL.  (a)  To refer one or more criminal cases to a magistrate, a judge must issue an order specifying the magistrate's duties.(b)  An order of referral may set forth general powers and limitations of authority of the magistrate that apply to any case referred.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.996 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.996. Powers

Sec. 54.996.  POWERS.  (a)  A judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case for proceedings involving:(1)  issuance of search warrants;(2)  setting of bonds;(3)  arraignment of defendants;  and(4)  any other matter that is subject to the review of the judge.(b)  A magistrate may not preside over a contested trial on the merits, regardless of whether the trial is before a jury.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.997 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.997. Return to Referring Court; Findings

Sec. 54.997.  RETURN TO REFERRING COURT;  FINDINGS.  After a hearing is concluded, the magistrate shall send to the referring court any papers related to the case, including the magistrate's findings, conclusions, orders, recommendations, or other action taken.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.998 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter R. Criminal Law Magistrates in Webb County|Section 54.998. Judicial Action

Sec. 54.998.  JUDICIAL ACTION.  (a)  A referring court may modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit for further information any action taken by the magistrate.(b)  If the court does not modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit an action of the magistrate, the action becomes the decree of the court.(c)  At the conclusion of each term during which the services of a magistrate are used, the referring court shall enter a decree on the minutes adopting the actions of the magistrate of which the court approves.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.|
TX Govt Code § 54.1171 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter W. Magistrates in Certain County Courts|Section 54.1171. Application of Subchapter

Sec. 54.1171.  APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER.  This subchapter applies to a constitutional county court in a county with a population of 1.75 million or more.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Renumbered from Government Code, Section 54.1151 by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 23.001(27), eff. September 1, 2005.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 734), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011.|
TX Govt Code § 54.1172 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter W. Magistrates in Certain County Courts|Section 54.1172. Appointment

Sec. 54.1172.  APPOINTMENT.  (a)  The county judge may appoint one or more part-time or full-time magistrates to hear a matter alleging a violation of Section 25.093, Education Code, or alleging truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.(b)  An appointment under Subsection (a) is subject to the approval of the commissioners court.(c)  A magistrate serves at the pleasure of the county judge.(d)  A magistrate appointed under Subsection (a) must complete every two years at least eight hours of continuing education conducted by the Texas Association of Counties, the State Bar of Texas, or the Texas Justice Court Training Center.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Renumbered from Government Code, Section 54.1152 by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 23.001(27), eff. September 1, 2005.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 667 (H.B. 1346), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 272 (S.B. 407), Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 2009.Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 32, eff. September 1, 2015.|
TX Govt Code § 54.1173 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter W. Magistrates in Certain County Courts|Section 54.1173. Qualifications

Sec. 54.1173.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must:(1)  be a citizen of this state;(2)  be at least 25 years of age;  and(3)  have been licensed to practice law in this state for at least four years preceding the date of appointment.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Renumbered from Government Code, Section 54.1153 by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 23.001(27), eff. September 1, 2005.|
TX Govt Code § 54.1174 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 2 - Judicial Branch|Subtitle D - Judicial Personnel and Officials|Chapter 54 - Masters; Magistrates; Referees; Associate Judges|Subchapter W. Magistrates in Certain County Courts|Section 54.1174. Compensation

Sec. 54.1174.  COMPENSATION.  A magistrate is entitled to the compensation set by the commissioners court.  The compensation shall be paid from the general fund of the county.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Renumbered from Government Code, Section 54.1154 by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 23.001(27), eff. September 1, 2005.|