TX HB4797

Consolidates Texas's 15 courts of appeals districts into 6 newly designated appellate districts (A through E), with District A covering the Houston/Beaumont area, District B covering Fort Worth/Waco, District C covering Austin/Amarillo/Eastland, District D covering San Antonio/Corpus Christi/El Paso, and District E covering Dallas/Texarkana/Tyler

Restructures judicial positions so each new district has one chief justice and multiple deputy chief justices, with current chief justices from merged courts retaining their classification and compensation while serving as deputies

Adjusts the number of justices per district: District A will have 22 justices (1 chief + 21), District B will have 10, District C will have 13, District D will have 16, and District E will have 19

Establishes transition procedures for justices residing in counties transferred between districts, including a requirement to relocate by January 1, 2026, or forfeit their position if the new district has excess justices

Takes effect September 1, 2025, with cases already filed remaining under the jurisdiction of the original court of appeals district