TX HB40

Expands Texas Business Court jurisdiction by lowering the amount in controversy threshold from $10 million to $5 million for certain commercial actions, including qualified transactions and violations of the Finance Code or Business & Commerce Code

Adds new subject matter jurisdiction for the Business Court over intellectual property disputes (software, trade secrets, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology) and actions under the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act when the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million

Removes Montgomery County from the Second Business Court Division and adds it to the Eleventh Business Court Division; eliminates the September 1, 2026 abolishment dates for several Business Court divisions

Establishes procedures for administrative presiding judge selection, including creation of an administrative presiding judge pro tempore position, and requires the Supreme Court to adopt rules for prompt jurisdictional determinations

Authorizes transfer of pre-September 2024 civil actions to the Business Court on agreed motion with court permission, and adds the administrative presiding judge of the Business Court as an ex officio member of the Texas Judicial Council