ACCEPTED 15-25-00089-CV Appellate Docket Number: 15-25-00089-CV FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS Appellate Case Style: Texas Department of Agriculture, et al. AUSTIN, TEXAS Vs. Be a Champion, Inc., James Hong, Kevin Klotz, George Moon, and Jaron 5/29/2025 11:37 AM Barganier Companion CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE Case(s): CLERK Amended/Corrected Statement FILED IN 15th COURT OF APPEALS DOCKETING STATEMENT (Civil) AUSTIN, TEXAS Appellate Court: 15th Court of Appeals 5/29/2025 11:37:29 AM (to be filed in the court of appeals upon perfection of appeal under TRAP 32) A. PRINE CHRISTOPHER Clerk NOTE: Because space for additional parties / attorneys is limited on this form, you can include the information on a separate document. As per TRAP 32.1 and 9.4, please include party’s name and the name, address, email address, telephone number, fax number, if any, and State Bar Number of the party’s lead counsel. If the party is not represented by an attorney, that party’s name, address, telephone number, fax number should be provided.
I. Appellant II. Appellant Attorney(s) - Continued Person Organization Lead Attorney Select Name: TX Dept. of Agriculture, et al.;please see attached Name:
Pro Se Bar No.
If Pro Se Party, enter the following information: Firm/Agency: Address: Address 1: City/State/Zip: Address 2: Tel. Ext. Fax: City/State/Zip: Email: Tel. Ext. Fax: II. Appellant Attorney(s) Email:
Lead Attorney Retained Attorney Lead Attorney Select Name: Todd Dickerson Name: Bar No. 24118368 Bar No.
Firm/Agency: Office of the Attorney General Firm/Agency:
Address 1: P.O. Box 12548, Capitol Station Address 1:
Address 2:
Address 2:
City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78711 City/State/Zip:
Tel. (512) 475-4082 Ext. Fax: (512) 320-0667 Tel. Ext. Fax:
Email: todd.dickerson@oag.texas.gov Email:
Lead Attorney Select Lead Attorney Select Name:
Name:
Bar No.
Bar No.
Firm/Agency:
Firm/Agency:
Address 1:
Address 1:
Address 2:
Address 2:
City/State/Zip:
City/State/Zip:
Tel. Ext. Fax:
Tel. Ext. Fax:
Email:
Email:
III. Appellee IV. Appellee Attorney(s) - Continued Person Organization Lead Attorney Retained Attorney Name: Be a Champion, Inc., et al.; please see attached Name: Jennifer Foster Pro Se Bar No. 24104938 If Pro Se Party, enter the following information: Firm/Agency: Terrazas PLLC Address: Address 1: 1001 S. Capital of Texas Highway City/State/Zip: Address 2: Suite L250 Tel. Ext. Fax: City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78746 Email: Tel. (512) 680-3257 Ext. Fax:
Email: jfoster@terrazaspllc.com IV. Appellee Attorney(s)
Lead Attorney Retained Attorney Lead Attorney Select
Name: Kevin Terrazas Name: Bar No. 24060708 Bar No. Firm/Agency: Terrazas PLLC Firm/Agency: Address 1: 1001 S. Capital of Texas Highway Address 1: Address 2: Suite L250 Address 2: City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78746 City/State/Zip: Tel. (512) 680-3257 Ext. Fax: Tel. Ext. Fax: Email: kterrazas@terrazaspllc.com Email:
Lead Attorney Retained Attorney Lead Attorney Select
Name: Benjamin Dower Name: Bar No. 24082931 Bar No. Firm/Agency: Terrazas PLLC Firm/Agency: Address 1: 1001 S. Capital of Texas Highway Address 1: Address 2: Suite L250 Address 2: City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78746 City/State/Zip: Tel. (512) 680-3257 Ext. Fax: Tel. Ext. Fax: Email: bdower@terrazaspllc.com Email:
V. Perfection of Appeal, Judgment and Sentencing Nature of Case (Subject matter or type of case): Governmenal Immunity Date Order or Judgment signed: 04/30/2025 Type of Judgment: Interlocutory Order Date Notice of Appeal filed in Trial Court: 05/13/2025 If mailed to the Trial Court clerk, also give the date mailed:
Interlocutory appeal of appealable order: Yes No If yes, please specify statutory or other basis on which interlocutory order is appealable (See TRAP 28):
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Sec. 51.014(a)(8)
Accelerated Appeal (See TRAP 28): Yes No If yes, please specify statutory or other basis on which appeal is accelerated:
Tex. R. App. P. 28.1(a); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code section 51.014(a)(4), (8)
Parental Termination or Child Protection? (See TRAP 28.4): Yes No Permissive? (See TRAP 28.3): Yes No If yes, please specify statutory or other basis for such status:
Agreed? (See TRAP 28.2): Yes No If yes, please specify statutory or other basis for such status:
Appeal should receive precedence, preference, or priority under statute or rule? Yes No If yes, please specify statutory or other basis for such status:
Does this case involve an amount under $100,000? Yes No Judgment or Order disposes of all parties and issues? Yes No Appeal from final judgment? Yes No Does the appeal involve the constitutionality or the validity of a statute, rule, or ordinance? Yes No ,I\HV\RXPXVWDOVRFRPSOHWHDQGILOHWKH&KDOOHQJHWR&RQVWLWXWLRQDOLW\RID6WDWH6WDWXWHIRUP ,I\HVLVWKH$WWRUQH\*HQHUDORI7H[DVDSDUW\WRWKHFDVH" Yes 1o
VI. Actions Extending Time to Perfect Appeal Motion for New Trial: Yes No If yes, date filed: Motion to Modify Judgment: Yes No If yes, date filed: Request for Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law: Yes No If yes, date filed: Motion to Reinstate: Yes No If yes, date filed: Motion under TRCP 306a: Yes No If yes, date filed: Other: Yes No If Other, please specify:
VII. Indigency of Party (Attach file stamped copy of Statement and copy of the trial court order.) Was Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs filed in the trial court? Yes No If yes, date filed:
Was a Motion Challenging the Statement filed in the trial court? Yes No If yes, date filed: Was there any hearing on appellant’s ability to afford court costs? Yes No Hearing Date:
Did trial court sign an order under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145? Yes No
Date of Order: If yes, trial court finding: Challenge Sustained Overruled VIII. Bankruptcy Has any party to the court’s judgment filed for protection in bankruptcy which might affect this appeal?
Yes No If yes, please attach a copy of the petition. Date bankruptcy filed: Bankruptcy Case Number:
IX. Trial Court and Record Court: 53rd District Court Clerk’s Record County: Travis Trial Court Clerk: ✔ District County Trial Court Docket No. (Cause No.): Was Clerk’s record requested? ✔ Yes No D-1-GN-24-000305 If yes, date requested: 05/15/2025 Trial Court Judge (who tried or disposed of the case): If no, date it will be requested:
Name: Hon. Jessica Mangrum Were payment arrangements made with clerk?
Address 1: Travis County Courthouse - 200th Civil Dis.
✔ Yes No Indigent Address 2: 1700 Guadalupe Street - 9th Flr.
(Note: No request required under TRAP 34.5(a),(b).)
City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78701 Tel. (512) 436-0394 Ext. Fax: (512) 854-2224 Email: 200.Submission@traviscountytx.gov
IX. Trial Court and Record - Continued Reporter’s or Recorder’s Record Is there a Reporter’s Record? Yes No Was Reporter’s Record requested? Yes No If yes, date requested: 05/13/2025 If no, date it will be requested:
Was the Reporter’s Record electronically recorded? Yes No Were payment arrangements made with the court reporter/court recorder? Yes No Indigent
Court Reporter Court Recorder Court Reporter Court Recorder Official Substitute Official Substitute Name: Janis Simon Name: Address 1: 1700 Guadalupe St., 4th Flr Address 1: Address 2: Address 2: City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78701 City/State/Zip: Tel. (512) 854-9325 Ext. Fax: Tel. Ext. Fax: Email: janis.simon@traviscountytx.gov Email:
X. Supersedeas Bond Supersedeas bond filed? Yes No If yes, date filed: If no, will file? Yes No
XI. Extraordinary Relief Will you request extraordinary relief (e.g., temporary or ancillary relief) from this Court? Yes No If yes, briefly state the basis for your request:
XII. Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation (Complete section if filing in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th, or 14th Court of Appeals.)
Should this appeal be referred to mediation? Yes No If no, please specify:
Has this case been through an ADR procedure? Yes No If yes, who was the mediator? What type of ADR procedure? At what stage did the case go through ADR? Pre-Trial Post-Trial Other If other, please specify:
Type of Case? Governmenal Immunity Give a brief description of the issue to be raised on appeal, the relief sought, and the applicable standard for review, if known (without prejudice to the right to raise additional issues or request additional relief):
How was the case disposed of? Summary of relief granted, including amount of money judgment, and if any, damages awarded.
If money judgment, what was the amount? Actual damages: Punitive (or similar) damages: Attorney’s fees (trial): Attorney’s fees (appellate): Other:
If other, please specify:
Will you challenge this Court’s jurisdiction? Yes No Does judgment have language that one or more parties “take nothing”? Yes No Does judgment have a Mother Hubbard clause? Yes No Other basis for finality:
XII. Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation - Continued (Complete section if filing in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th, or 14th Court of Appeals.)
Rate the complexity of the case (use 1 for least and 5 for most complex): 1 2 3 4 5 Please make my answer to the preceding questions known to other parties in this case? Yes No Can the parties agree on an appellate mediator? Yes No If yes, please give the name, address, telephone, fax, and email address: Name: Address: Telephone: Ext. Fax: Email:
Languages other than English in which the mediator should be proficient:
Name of the person filling out mediation section of docketing statement:
XIII. Related Matters List any pending or past related appeals before this, or any other Texas Appellate Court, by Court, Docket, and Style. Court: Select Appellate Court Docket: Style:
Vs. Court: Select Appellate Court Docket: Style:
Vs. Court: Select Appellate Court Docket: Style:
Vs. Court: Select Appellate Court Docket: Style:
Vs. Court: Select Appellate Court Docket: Style:
Vs. Court: Select Appellate Court Docket: Style:
Vs.
XIV. Pro Bono Program:
(Complete section if filing in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 13th or 14th Court of Appeals.)
The Courts of Appeals listed above, in conjunction with the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section Pro Bono Committee and local Bar Associations, are conducting a program to place a limited number of civil appeals with appellate counsel who will represent the appellant in the appeal before this Court. The Pro Bono Committee is solely responsible for screening and selecting the civil cases for inclusion in the Program based upon a number of discretionary criteria, including the financial means of the appellant or appellee. If a case is selected by the Committee, and can be matched with appellate counsel, that counsel will take over representation of the appellant or appellee without charging legal fees. More information regarding this program can be found in the Pro Bono Program Pamphlet available in paper form at the Clerk's Office or on the Internet at http://www.tex-app.org. If your case is selected and matched with a volunteer lawyer, you will receive a letter from the Pro Bono Committee within thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days after submitting this Docketing Statement. Note: there is no guarantee that if you submit your case for possible inclusion in the Pro Bono Program, the Pro Bono Committee will select your case and that pro bono counsel can be found to represent you. Accordingly, you should not forego seeking other counsel to represent you in this proceeding. By signing your name below, you are authorizing the Pro Bono committee to transmit publicly available facts and information about your case, including parties and background, through selected Internet sites and Listserv to its pool of volunteer appellate attorneys. Do you want this case to be considered for inclusion in the Pro Bono Program? Yes No Do you authorize the Pro Bono Committee to contact your trial counsel of record in this matter to answer questions the committee may have regarding the appeal? Yes No Please note that any such conversations would be maintained as confidential by the Pro Bono Committee and the information used solely for the purposes of considering the case for inclusion in the Pro Bono Program. If you have not previously filed a Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs and attached a file-stamped copy of that Statement, does your income exceed 200% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines? Yes No These guidelines can be found in the Pro Bono Program Pamphlet as well as on the internet at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/06poverty.shtml. Are you willing to disclose your financial circumstances to the Pro Bono Committee? Yes No If yes, please attach a Statement of Inability to Pay Court Costs completed and executed by the appellant or appellee. Sample forms may be found in the Clerk's Office or on the internet at http://www.tex-app.org. Your participation in the Pro Bono Program may be conditioned upon your execution of a Statement under oath as to your financial circumstances.
Give a brief description of the issues to be raised on appeal, the relief sought, and the applicable standard of review, if known (without prejudice to the right to raise additional issues or request additional relief; use a separate attachment, if necessary).
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Please enter the following for each person served: Date Served: 05/29/2025 Date Served: Manner Served: eServe Manner Served: Select Name: Kevin Terrazas Name: Bar No. 24060708 Bar No. Firm/Agency: Terrazas PLLC Firm/Agency: Address 1: 1001 S. Capital of Texas Hwy Address 1: Address 2: Suite L250 Address 2: City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78746 City/State/Zip: Tel. (512) 680-3257 Ext. Fax: Tel. Ext. Fax: Email: kterrazas@terrazaspllc.com Email: Party: Appellees Party:
Date Served: 05/29/2025 Date Served: Manner Served: eServe Manner Served: Select Name: Benjamin Dower Name: Bar No. 24082931 Bar No. Firm/Agency: Terrazas PLLC Firm/Agency: Address 1: 1001 S. Capital of Texas Hwy Address 1: Address 2: Suite L250 Address 2: City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78746 City/State/Zip: Tel. (512) 680-3257 Ext. Fax: Tel. Ext. Fax: Email: bdower@terrazaspllc.com Email: Party: Appellees Party:
Date Served: 05/29/2025 Manner Served: eServe Name: Jennifer Foster Bar No. 24104938 Firm/Agency: Terrazas PLLC Address 1: 1001 S. Capital of Texas Hwy Address 2: Suite L250 City/State/Zip: Austin/TX/78746 Tel. (512) 680-3257 Ext. Fax: Email: jfoster@terrazaspllc.com Party: Appellees
Please enter the following for each person served that is not an attorney for a party: Date Served: Date Served: Manner Served: Select Manner Served: Select Name: Name: Address 1: Address 1: Address 2: Address 2: City/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: Tel. Ext. Tel. Ext. Fax: Fax: Email: Email:
Date Served: Date Served: Manner Served: Select Manner Served: Select Name: Name: Address 1: Address 1: Address 2: Address 2: City/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: Tel. Ext. Tel. Ext. Fax: Fax: Email: Email:
Date Served: Date Served: Manner Served: Select Manner Served: Select Name: Name: Address 1: Address 1: Address 2: Address 2: City/State/Zip: City/State/Zip: Tel. Ext. Tel. Ext. Fax: Fax: Email: Email:
Appellants
1. Texas Department of Agriculture 2. Commissioner Sid Miller in His Official Capacity 3. Deputy Commissioner Terry Keel in His Official Capacity 4. Assistant Commissioner for the Food & Nutrition Division Lena Wilson in Her Official Capacity 5. Administrator for Food & Nutrition Laura Benavidez in Her Individual and Official Capacities 6. Annette McBride in Her Individual and Official Capacities 7. Carey Spence Lenss in her Individual and Official Capacities 8. Senta Fortune in her Individual and Official Capacities 9. Bella Montelongo in Her Individual and Official Capacities 10. Celia Garcia in Her Individual and Official Capacities 11. Carl Crittendon in His Individual and Official Capacities 12. David Dierksen in His Individual and Official Capacities
Todd Dickerson Assistant Attorney General Texas Bar No. 24118368 General Litigation Division P.O. Box 12548, Capitol Station Austin, Texas 78711-2548 Phone:(512) 463-2120 / Fax: (512) 320-0667 Todd.Dickerson@oag.texas.gov
Counsel for Appellants
Appellees
1. Be a Champion, Inc. 2. James Hong 3. Kevin Klotz 4. George Moon 5. Jaron Barganier
Kevin J. Terrazas Texas Bar No. 24060708 Jennifer A. Foster Texas Bar No. 24104938 Benjamin L. Dower Texas Bar No. 24082931 Terrazas PLLC 1001 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Suite L-250 Austin, TX 78746 Telephone: (512) 680-3257 kterrazas@terrazaspllc.com jfoster@terrazaspllc.com bdower@terrazaspllc.com
Counsel for Appellees
Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system. The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.
Todd Dickerson on behalf of Todd Dickerson Bar No. 24118368 todd.dickerson@oag.texas.gov Envelope ID: 101379269 Filing Code Description: Docketing Statement Filing Description: 20250529_Amended Docketing Statement Status as of 5/29/2025 12:03 PM CST
Associated Case Party: Be a Champion, Inc.
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Kevin Terrazas 24060708 kterrazas@terrazaspllc.com 5/29/2025 11:37:29 AM SENT
Benjamin Dower 24082931 bdower@terrazaspllc.com 5/29/2025 11:37:29 AM SENT
Jennifer Foster 24104938 jfoster@terrazaspllc.com 5/29/2025 11:37:29 AM SENT
Associated Case Party: Texas Department of Agriculture
Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status
Todd Dickerson todd.dickerson@oag.texas.gov 5/29/2025 11:37:29 AM SENT
Chelsea Goodman chelsea.goodman@oag.texas.gov 5/29/2025 11:37:29 AM SENT