Section 80.137 - Summary Disposition(a) Motion. After the preliminary hearing and up to 21 days before the evidentiary hearing, a party may file a motion for a summary disposition of all or any part of an action. The motion shall state the specific issues upon which summary disposition is sought, and the specific grounds justifying the summary disposition. Except upon leave of the judge, with notice to opposing parties, the motion, any supporting affidavits, and any other relevant documentary evidence shall be filed and served at least 21 days before the date set for ruling on the motion.(b) Written response. Except upon leave of the judge, a party may file and serve a written response, any supporting affidavits, and any other relevant documentary evidence at least seven days before the date set for ruling on the motion.(c) Summary disposition. Summary disposition shall be rendered if the pleadings, admissions, affidavits, stipulations, deposition transcripts, interrogatory answers, other discovery responses, exhibits and authenticated or certified public records, if any, on file in the case at the time of the hearing, or filed thereafter and before judgment with the permission of the judge, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to summary disposition as a matter of law on all or some of the issues expressly set out in the motion or in an answer or any other response.(d) Testimony. A summary disposition may be based on uncontroverted testimonial evidence of an interested witness, or of an expert witness as to subject matter concerning which the judge must be guided solely by the opinion testimony of experts. The evidence must be clear, positive and direct, otherwise credible and free from contradictions and inconsistencies, and could have been readily controverted. No oral testimony shall be received at a hearing on a motion for summary disposition.(e) Appendices, references and other use of discovery not otherwise on file. Discovery products not on file with the chief clerk may be used as summary disposition evidence if copies of the material, appendices containing the evidence, or a notice containing specific references to the discovery or specific references to other instruments, are filed and served on all parties together with a statement of intent to use the specified discovery as summary disposition proofs:(1) at least 21 days before the date set for ruling on the motion if such proofs are to be used to support the summary disposition; or(2) at least seven days before the date set for ruling on the motion if such proofs are to be used to oppose the summary disposition.(f) Form of affidavits; further testimony. Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein. Sworn or certified copies of all papers or parts thereof referred to in an affidavit shall be attached thereto or served therewith. The judge may permit affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions or by further affidavits. Defects in the form of affidavits or attachments will not be grounds for reversal unless specifically pointed out by objection by an opposing party with opportunity, but refusal, to amend.(g) When affidavits are unavailable. Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that he cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify his opposition, the judge may refuse the application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just.(h) Argument and ruling on motion. At the discretion of the judge, a hearing may be held and oral argument may be presented on the motion. The judge may rule on the motion with or without a hearing.(i) Disposition of motion. If the judge grants a motion for summary disposition on all parts of an action, the judge shall close the hearing and prepare a proposal for decision. If the judge grants a motion for summary disposition on any part of an action, the judge shall not take evidence or hear further argument upon that part of the action, and shall enter an order specifying the facts that appear without substantial controversy, and directing such further proceedings as are just. Upon the hearing of the application the facts so specified shall be deemed established, and the hearing shall be conducted accordingly.(j) Proposal for decision. At the close of the hearing, the judge shall include in the proposal for decision a statement of reasons, findings of fact and conclusions of law in support of any summary disposition rendered.30 Tex. Admin. Code § 80.137
The provisions of this §80.137 adopted to be effective June 6, 1996, 21 TexReg 4763.