Settlements and Judgments
Certain Settlement Agreements Prohibited
A state agency may not enter into a settlement of a claim or action against the agency if:
- The amount of the settlement is equal to or greater than $30,000.
- A condition of the settlement requires a party seeking affirmative relief against the agency to agree not to disclose any fact, allegation, evidence or other matter to any other person, including a journalist or other member of the media.
- The money that would be used to pay the settlement is:
- Derived from taxes collected by a state agency.
- Received from the state of Texas.
- Insurance proceeds received from an insurance policy for which the premium was paid with taxes collected by a state agency.
A settlement agreement that violates this prohibition is void and unenforceable.
This provision does not affect information that is privileged or confidential under other law.
Sources [+]
Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Sections 116.002 and 116.003.
