https://texasappeals.org/topics/texas-legislature/Clinical descriptions of the Texas appellate decisions drawing the most press coverage.Hugo -- gohugo.ioen-usMon, 08 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2025/12/abbott-v-lulac-redistricting-stay/Mon, 08 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2025/12/abbott-v-lulac-redistricting-stay/In an unsigned order on an application for a stay, the Court found that Texas was likely to show the three-judge District Court failed to honor the presumption of legislative good faith and failed to draw an adverse inference from the challengers’ lack of an alternative map. The order rests on a “preliminary evaluation” and does not decide the racial-gerrymandering claim.https://texasappeals.org/2024/11/in-re-texas-house-roberson-subpoena/Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2024/11/in-re-texas-house-roberson-subpoena/The court denied a Texas House committee’s petition, holding that the separation of powers does not permit judicial enforcement of a legislative subpoena that would require canceling a long-scheduled execution. The opinion states that the dispute has nothing to do with Robert Roberson’s guilt or innocence.https://texasappeals.org/2024/11/md-v-abbott-foster-care-contempt-reassignment/Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2024/11/md-v-abbott-foster-care-contempt-reassignment/A Fifth Circuit panel held that $100,000-per-day contempt fines against a Texas Health and Human Services Commission official were a criminal sanction imposed without the required protections and barred by state sovereign immunity, and that the state had substantially complied with the orders at issue. The court also directed that the foster care class action be reassigned to a different district judge.