Opinion ID: 894886
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Review Standard

Text: A plea questioning the trial court's subject-matter jurisdiction raises a question of law that we review de novo. See Tex. Dep't of Parks and Wildlife v. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d 217, 226 (Tex.2004). Lack of jurisdiction may be raised by a plea to the jurisdiction when religious-liberty grounds form the basis for the jurisdictional challenge. [3] See Tilton, 925 S.W.2d at 682; Green v. United Pentecostal Church Int'l, 899 S.W.2d 28, 30 (Tex. App.-Austin 1995, writ denied). We focus first on the plaintiff's petition to determine whether the facts pled affirmatively demonstrate that subject-matter jurisdiction exists. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d at 226. If the pleadings are insufficient to establish jurisdiction but do not affirmatively demonstrate an incurable defect, the plaintiff should be afforded the opportunity to replead. Id. at 226-27. A plea should not be granted if a fact issue is presented as to the court's jurisdiction, but if the pleadings affirmatively demonstrate an incurable jurisdictional defect, then the plea to the jurisdiction must be granted. Id. at 227-28.