HBA-MSH C.S.H.B. 1740 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1740 By: Dunnam Civil Practices 4/4/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Arbitration in Texas is governed by the Texas General Arbitration Act (TAA) and the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). A party denied arbitration under a TAA agreement may file an interlocutory appeal, but there is no such provision in FAA. Appeals of decisions that incorporate both Acts must follow an appeal in state court and a separate request for a writ of mandamus in federal court. C.S.H.B. 1740 expands the right to appeal an agreement reached through general arbitration to conform to federal statutes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1740 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to authorize a party to a general arbitration agreement to appeal an order granting an application to compel arbitration, denying an application to stay arbitration, vacating an award, or that would be appealable under federal arbitration provisions. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 1740 provides for the appeal of certain orders reached through general arbitration including those that would be appealable under federal arbitration provisions, whereas the original bill repealed a provision that provides for the appeal of a judgment or decree reached through general arbitration.