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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 03-02-00462-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 06, 2003

Texas Municipal Power Agency v. Public Utility Commission and City of Bryan

In this interlocutory appeal, the Texas Municipal Power Agency challenged a Public Utility Commission (PUC) order concerning the allocation of electricity transmission costs to the City of Bryan. Municipal Power Agency filed both an APA appeal and a Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act (UDJA) claim, the latter of which was dismissed by the district court on grounds of sovereign immunity and duplication of remedies. The Court of Appeals reversed this dismissal, ruling that the UDJA waives sovereign immunity when interpreting an agency's general statutory authority, even if a parallel APA appeal addressing specific agency actions is ongoing. The court emphasized that the UDJA action sought a broader declaration of the Commission's fundamental authority, distinguishing it from merely challenging a particular agency order. Therefore, the case was remanded for further proceedings on the declaratory judgment claim.

Sovereign ImmunityDeclaratory Judgment Act (UDJA)Administrative Procedure Act (APA)Subject Matter JurisdictionInterlocutory AppealPublic Utility CommissionElectricity Transmission RatesStatutory InterpretationAgency AuthorityDuplicate Remedies
References
35
Case No. 03-02-00462-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 06, 2003

TEXAS MUN. POWER AGEN. v. Pub. Util. Com'n

Texas Municipal Power Agency (Municipal Power) challenged an order by the Public Utility Commission (Commission) concerning the allocation of electricity transmission costs to the City of Bryan. Municipal Power filed an Administrative Procedure Act (APA) appeal and later amended its petition to include a declaratory judgment action under the Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act (UDJA), seeking a declaration on the scope of the Commission's statutory authority under the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA). The trial court granted pleas to the jurisdiction, dismissing the UDJA action on grounds of sovereign immunity and duplication of remedies available in the APA appeal. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the UDJA waives sovereign immunity for claims seeking an interpretation of an agency's general statutory authority and that the UDJA action was distinct from and broader than the APA appeal, which only addressed specific agency orders.

Administrative LawDeclaratory Judgment ActAdministrative Procedure ActSovereign ImmunityJurisdictionPublic Utility CommissionElectricity Transmission CostsStatutory InterpretationInterlocutory AppealAppellate Procedure
References
44
Case No. 15-24-00066-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 29, 2025

Richard Mark Dudley and Deanie Palmer Dudley v. Texas Municipal Power Agency

This document is a reply brief filed by Richard Mark Dudley and Deanie Palmer Dudley (Appellants) against Texas Municipal Power Agency (Appellee). The brief addresses several points on appeal from the 272nd District Court, Brazos County, Texas. Key arguments include that the trial court's declaratory relief improperly expanded and rewrote the Easement, particularly concerning TMPA's discretion and the interpretation of "wall" versus "fence." The appellants also argue that TMPA incorrectly relied on Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §37.011 for injunctive relief without proper pleading or proof, and failed to meet requirements under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 683. A significant portion of the brief challenges the award of attorney's fees to TMPA, asserting that TMPA failed to provide sufficient evidence for reasonable hourly rates and hours worked, and that the trial court abused its discretion in the award's amount. The Dudleys request the appellate court to reverse the trial court’s judgment, vacate declaratory judgments and permanent injunctions, and deny TMPA’s attorney’s fees claims, or alternatively, reverse and remand the case.

Easement RightsDeclaratory JudgmentPermanent InjunctionAttorney's FeesAppellate ProcedureLodestar MethodHourly RatesTrial Court DiscretionPleadingsBrazos County
References
14
Case No. 09-16-00339-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 26, 2018

Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency v. Ralph J. Gillis, Gillis Borchardt & Barthel LLP, Obain Associates Limited and the Jasper/VPPA Settlement Trust

This appeal concerns Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency's (SRMPA) lawsuit against its former attorney, Ralph J. Gillis, and his firm, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and fraud related to the 'Nisco Deal' and the 'Cambridge Project' energy initiatives. SRMPA accused Gillis of self-dealing and undisclosed personal financial gains from these projects. The trial court, following a jury verdict, denied SRMPA's claims regarding the Nisco Deal due to the statute of limitations, but awarded damages for Gillis's breach of fiduciary duty concerning the Cambridge Project. SRMPA appealed the denial of equitable relief, the limitations finding, and the quantum of damages, while Gillis, Obain, and the Jasper/VPPA Settlement Trust filed cross-appeals. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment across all contested issues.

Breach of Fiduciary DutyFraudulent ConcealmentEnergy ProjectsAttorney MalpracticeStatute of LimitationsEquitable ReliefDisgorgementConstructive TrustDamagesRespondeat Superior
References
59
Case No. 22055
Regular Panel Decision

Texas Municipal Power Agency v. Public Utility Commission and City of Bryan

Texas Municipal Power Agency (Municipal Power) challenged a trial court's dismissal of its declaratory judgment action, which was filed alongside an Administrative Procedure Act (APA) appeal. The core issue was whether Municipal Power could simultaneously pursue a declaratory judgment action under the Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act (UDJA) to interpret the general statutory authority of the Public Utility Commission (the Commission) under the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA), independently of an APA appeal challenging a specific agency order. The court ruled that the UDJA waives sovereign immunity for claims seeking statutory interpretation against the state. It further determined that a UDJA action aiming to define an agency's general statutory authority is distinct from, and not duplicated by, an APA appeal focusing on the validity of a specific agency action. Consequently, the court reversed the trial court's order granting the pleas to the jurisdiction and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Administrative LawPublic Utility CommissionSovereign ImmunityDeclaratory Judgment ActAPAStatutory InterpretationJurisdictionWholesale ElectricityTransmission CostsMunicipal Utilities
References
20
Case No. 03-01-00187-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 10, 2002

Power Resource Group, Inc. v. Public Utility Commisison of Texas and Texas-New Mexico Power Company

This appeal concerns Power Resource Group, Inc.'s challenge to the Public Utility Commission of Texas's interpretation of rule 23.66, which governs the obligation of electric utilities to purchase energy and capacity from qualifying facilities (QFs). Power Resource argued that utilities must contract with QFs within 90 days of notification, irrespective of the QF's ability to deliver power within that period. The Commission asserted that a legally enforceable obligation only arises if the QF can provide energy within 90 days. The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's judgment, upholding the Commission's interpretation as reasonable and not preempted by federal law, and denied Power Resource's contract and fraud claims against Texas-New Mexico Power Company.

Public Utility CommissionElectric UtilitiesQualifying Facilities (QF)PURPAEnergy Purchase ObligationAdministrative Rule InterpretationStatutory InterpretationContract LawFraud ClaimsSummary Judgment
References
39
Case No. 03-04-00050-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 29, 2004

Al Boenker Insurance Agency, Inc. v. the Texas FAIR Plan Association The Texas Department of Insurance And Jose Montemayor, Commissioner of Insurance

Appellant Al Boenker Insurance Agency, Inc. appealed a summary judgment ruling in favor of the Texas FAIR Plan Association (FAIR Plan). Al Boenker had challenged a bulletin issued by FAIR Plan, which restricted fees insurance agencies could charge for homeowners insurance applications and allowed for termination of agencies violating the contract. Al Boenker argued that FAIR Plan violated the separation-of-powers doctrine and exceeded its statutory authority. The Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's judgment, concluding that FAIR Plan is not a state agency subject to the Texas Administrative Procedure Act's rulemaking provisions and acted within its authority derived from the FAIR Plan Act and its Plan of Operation by contractually limiting agent compensation and establishing conditions for agent termination.

Administrative LawInsurance LawContract LawSummary JudgmentDeclaratory JudgmentInjunctionAgency AuthoritySeparation of PowersStatutory ConstructionTexas Court of Appeals
References
16
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Sosa v. Central Power & Light Co.

The Sosas sued Central Power & Light, Houston Power & Light, and General Electric for the wrongful death of Mr. Sosa, alleging liver disease from toxic chemical exposure in the early 1970s. Mr. Sosa died on June 1, 1991, and the Sosas filed suit on June 1, 1993. The defendants moved for summary judgment based on the statute of limitations, arguing the Sosas' First Amended Original Petition's allegations showed Mr. Sosa was incapacitated for twenty years, implying knowledge of injury. The Sosas attempted to file a Second Amended Original Petition without leave of court to invoke the discovery rule, but it was struck as untimely. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, holding the Second Amended Original Petition was untimely, leave to file was properly denied, the First Amended Original Petition's allegations constituted judicial admissions, and thus, the limitations defense barred the claim as Mr. Sosa was aware of his injuries more than four years prior to his death.

Wrongful DeathStatute of LimitationsSummary JudgmentAmended PleadingDiscovery RuleJudicial AdmissionsToxic ExposureLiver DiseaseAppellate ReviewTexas Civil Procedure
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 01, 2001

Silva v. Incorporated Village of Hempstead Community Development Agency

Jose Silva, an employee of Mar Jea Equipment, Inc., was allegedly injured during construction work on property owned by the Incorporated Village of Hempstead Community Development Agency. Silva sued the Agency for personal injuries. The Agency, in turn, initiated a third-party action against Mar Jea for indemnification. Mar Jea moved to dismiss this third-party complaint, arguing that the Agency's claim for common-law indemnification was barred by Workers’ Compensation Law § 11. Although the Agency contended it had a claim for contractual indemnification, the subcontract between Mar Jea and the general contractor required written consent from the Agency, which was never obtained. Consequently, the Supreme Court granted Mar Jea's motion to dismiss, a decision that was subsequently affirmed on appeal.

Personal InjuryConstruction AccidentThird-Party ActionIndemnificationContractual IndemnificationCommon-Law IndemnificationSubcontractCondition PrecedentWorkers' Compensation LawSummary Judgment
References
2
Case No. E2015-02226-COA-R9-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 19, 2016

Sandra Clark v. Christopher Powers

This interlocutory appeal addresses whether an automobile accident claim was barred by the statute of limitations due to non-compliance with service of process rules. Plaintiffs, Sandra and Sandy Clark, and defendant Christopher Powers's insurer, The General, had an agreement to defer service during settlement talks. Powers's underinsured motorist carrier, Allstate, later 'fronted' The General's policy limit to protect its subrogation rights. After the limitations period, Powers and Allstate moved for dismissal, but the trial court denied summary judgment based on equitable estoppel. The appellate court affirmed the denial, concluding that the agreement to forbear service was valid and ongoing, thus excusing the lack of formal service on Powers at the time the motion was filed.

Automobile AccidentStatute of LimitationsService of ProcessEquitable EstoppelSettlement NegotiationsUnderinsured Motorist CoverageSubrogation RightsSummary JudgmentInterlocutory AppealTennessee Rules of Civil Procedure
References
21
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