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The 89th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) convened on January 14, 2025, and runs for its constitutional maximum of 140 days, ending June 2nd. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick presides in the Senate. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) presides as Speaker in the House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott continues to lead the Executive Branch. Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) chairs the Business & Commerce Committee (B&C) in the Senate. In the House, the Business & Industry Committee is replaced by the new Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee (TWED). Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Dallas) is the chair of TWED. Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) chairs the Senate Jurisprudence Committee. In the House, Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) chairs the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee (JCJ). These BLS updates are provided periodically throughout the legislative session as directed by the Texas Business Law Foundation (TBLF). The reports are categorized by 11 general subject matter categories edited by the TBLF. Bill references within the updates are interactive for quick access to bill text, sponsors, analyses, and actions. The updates are provided to keep BLS members informed and knowledgeable on the progress of Texas legislation impacting business law.

The 89th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) convened on January 14, 2025, and runs for its constitutional maximum of 140 days, ending June 2nd. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to preside in the Senate. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) presides as Speaker in the House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott continues to lead the Executive Branch. Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) continues as chair of the Business & Commerce Committee (B&C) in the Senate. In the House, the Business & Industry Committee has been replaced by the new Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee (TWED). Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Dallas) is the chair of TWED. These BLS updates are provided periodically throughout the legislative session as directed by the Texas Business Law Foundation (TBLF). The reports are categorized by 11 general subject matter categories edited by the TBLF. Bill references within the updates are interactive for quick access to bill text, sponsors, analyses, and actions. The updates are provided to keep BLS members informed and knowledgeable on the progress of Texas legislation impacting business law.

Relating to the formation of decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations and the use of distributed ledger or blockchain technology for certain business purposes; authorizing fees.

The 89th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) convened on January 14, 2025, and runs for its constitutional maximum of 140 days, ending June 2nd. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to preside in the Senate. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) presides as Speaker in the House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott continues to lead the Executive Branch. Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) continues as chair of the Business & Commerce Committee (B&C) in the Senate. In the House, the Business & Industry Committee has been replaced by the new Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee (TWED). Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Dallas) is the chair of TWED. These BLS updates are provided periodically throughout the legislative session as directed by the Texas Business Law Foundation (TBLF). The reports are categorized by 11 general subject matter categories edited by the TBLF. Bill references within the updates are interactive for quick access to bill text, sponsors, analyses, and actions. The updates are provided to keep BLS members informed and knowledgeable on the progress of Texas legislation impacting business law.

The 89th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) convened on January 14, 2025, and runs for its constitutional maximum of 140 days, ending June 2nd. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to preside in the Senate. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) presides as Speaker in the House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott continues to lead the Executive Branch. Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) continues as chair of the Business & Commerce Committee (B&C) in the Senate. In the House, the Business & Industry Committee has been replaced by the new Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee (TWED). Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Dallas) is the chair of TWED.

This bill would would amend the Business & Commerce Code to require large corporations (with revenues greater than $100 Billion) to disclose what AI models they use to provide services. Enforcement of the provisions of this act is by attorney general or an action under the DTPA.

The 89th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) convened on January 14, 2025, and runs for its constitutional maximum of 140 days, ending June 2nd. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to preside in the Senate. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) presides as Speaker in the House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott continues to lead the Executive Branch. Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) continues as chair of the Business & Commerce Committee (B&C) in the Senate. In the House, the Business & Industry Committee has been replaced by the new Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee (TWED). Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Dallas) is the chair of TWED. These BLS updates are provided periodically throughout the legislative session as directed by the Texas Business Law Foundation (TBLF). The reports are categorized by 11 general subject matter categories edited by the TBLF. Bill references within the updates are interactive for quick access to bill text, sponsors, analyses, and actions. The updates are provided to keep BLS members informed and knowledgeable on the progress of Texas legislation impacting business law.

The 89th Texas Legislature (Regular Session) convened on January 14, 2025, and runs for its constitutional maximum of 140 days, ending June 2nd. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick continues to preside in the Senate. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) presides as Speaker in the House of Representatives. Governor Greg Abbott continues to lead the Executive Branch. Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) continues as chair of the Business & Commerce Committee (B&C) in the Senate. In the House, the Business & Industry Committee has been replaced by the new Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee (TWED). Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Dallas) is the chair of TWED.

The weekly report of bills being introduced and acted upon within the ambit of businesses and business law

Congratulations, James P. Sullivan, on your recent appointment by Governor Greg Abbott to Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas.

HB 1709 is a bill that is: "relating to the regulation and reporting on the use of artificial intelligence systems by certain business entities and state agencies; providing civil penalties".

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) issues final amendments to the Commission’s trade regulation “Rule Concerning Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans,” retitled the “Rule Concerning Recurring Subscriptions and Other Negative Option Programs” (“Rule,” “final Rule” or “Negative Option Rule”). The final Rule now applies to all negative option programs in any media, and, among other things, (1) prohibits misrepresentations of any material fact made while marketing using negative option features; (2) requires sellers to provide important information prior to obtaining consumers’ billing information and charging consumers; (3) requires sellers to obtain consumers’ unambiguously affirmative consent to the negative option feature prior to charging them; and (4) requires sellers to provide consumers with simple cancellation mechanisms to immediately halt all recurring charges.

Sanjay Wadhwa, a 21-year agency vet, named Acting Director; Sam Waldon named Acting Deputy Director

The Texas Business Courts began operations 09/01/2024. Our Business Courts Resource Center is the space to get up to date on what is going on with the court administration and docket.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 9, 2024, voted 3-2 to approve the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) new quality control (QC) standard that imposes a combination of principles-based and prescriptive requirements to make sure that audit firms have a robust QC system to better protect investors.

On August 14, the FTC announced its final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials.

From the Court's ruling: "For the reasons enumerated above, it is ORDERED that Ryan and Plaintiff-Intervenors’ Motions for Summary Judgment are GRANTED. (ECF Nos. 166, 168). Additionally, for the reasons the Court grants Plaintiffs’ Motions for Summary Judgment, the Court DENIES the FTC’s Motion for Summary Judgment. (ECF No. 184). The Non-Compete Rule, 16 C.F.R. § 910.1–.6, is hereby SET ASIDE and shall not be enforced or otherwise take effect on September 4, 2024, or thereafter."

A federal judge has struck down Missouri investment regulations that Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft had touted as way to expose financial institutions that “put woke politics ahead of investment returns.”

A new version of the free eBook by Copyright professors Jeanne Fromer and Chris Sprigman

Gov. Greg Abbott signed HB 19 into law last summer, officially creating the hotly anticipated Texas business court. The new court — which is set to open its doors Sept. 1, 2024 — has been top of mind for Texas trial lawyers ever since. Now, the Texas Supreme Court has proposed the first set of procedural rules that will apply in the business court, bringing clearer focus to the business court vision. Commercial trial lawyers should now be better positioned to advise their clients on the particulars of this new forum.

By Eversheds Southerland. With Governor Abbott signing House Bill 19 into law on June 9, Texas joins more than two dozen US states with a specialized business court system designed to preside over specific high-value business and commercial disputes. Although HB 19 is scheduled to go into effect on September 1, 2023, the new business courts will not open until September 1, 2024. HB 19 will undoubtedly reshape the litigation landscape for business and commercial cases in Texas.

Guidance pertaining to achieving law practice cyber security and privacy prerequisite to assuring compliance with ethical behavior commensurate with Texas DRPC. Cyber insurance coverage issues will be discussed in view of recent relevant case law. This timely presentation will be made by Section member Lisa M. Angelo who has achieved privacy–related certifications including IPP/US and CIPM, and whose practice concentrates on cyber liability issues.

Chatbots, AI and ML will soon have a significant impact on our law practices and the conduct of business by our clients. The Business Law Section is in the process of putting together a Chatbot/AI/ML Resource Center to help you navigate this landscape

Follow legislation - proposed or enacted -- through the Section's weekly reports and a final report on the Session in Member Benefits/Legislation

The SEC issued a risk alert on Monday (attached) about the new SEC’s Investment Adviser marketing rule, which becomes effective on November 4, 2022. It is worth a read.

Per the attached release, the SEC has increased the Emerging Growth Company maximum revenue threshold to $1,235,000,000.  The Crowdfunding threshold is unchanged.

Findings Related to the Former SEC Ombudsman The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Inspector ...

Sharing an alert posted by DHS and DOD this week for any potential practitioners representing clients in the defense industry supply chain.