§ 171A.151 — EFFECT OF CLAWBACK PROVISIONS.

Texas § 171A.151

• Jurisdiction: Texas
• Code HS: Health and Safety Code

Text

Sec. 171A.151. EFFECT OF CLAWBACK PROVISIONS. (a) For purposes of this section, the term "clawback provision" refers to any law of another state or jurisdiction that authorizes the bringing of a civil action against a person for:
(1) bringing or engaging in an action authorized by this chapter, including Subsection (f);
(2) bringing or engaging in an action that alleges a violation of Section 171A.051 ;
(3) attempting, intending, or threatening to bring or engage in an action described by Subdivision (1) or (2); or
(4) providing legal representation or any type of assistance to a person who brings or engages in an action described by Subdivision (1) or (2).
(b) Notwithstanding any other law and except as otherwise provided by federal law or the Texas Constitution, the laws of this state apply to:
(1) conduct described by Subsection (a);
(2) an action brought against a person for engaging in conduct described by Subsection (a);
(3) an action brought under a clawback provision against a resident of this state; and
(4) an action brought under Subsection (f).
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, in an action described by Subsection (a)(1) or (2), the court shall, on request, issue a temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunction that restrains each defendant in the action, each person in privity with the defendant, and each person with whom the defendant is in active concert or participation from:
(1) bringing an action under any clawback provision against a claimant or prosecutor, a person in privity with the claimant or prosecutor, or a person providing legal representation or any type of assistance to the claimant or prosecutor; and
(2) continuing to litigate an action under any clawback provision that has been brought against a claimant or prosecutor, a person in privity with the claimant or prosecutor, or a person providing legal representation or any type of assistance to the claimant or prosecutor.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel preclude a defendant against whom a judgment is entered in an action described by Subsection (a)(1) or (2) and each person in privity with the defendant from litigating or relitigating any claim or issue under any clawback provision against a claimant, prosecutor, or person in privity with the claimant or prosecutor that was raised or could have been raised as a claim, cross-claim, counterclaim, or affirmative defense under the federal or this state's rules of civil procedure.
(e) Notwithstanding any other law, a court of this state may not enforce an out-of-state judgment obtained in an action brought under a clawback provision unless federal law or the Texas Constitution requires the court to enforce the judgment.
(f) Notwithstanding any other law, if an action is brought or judgment is entered against a person under a clawback provision based wholly or partly on the person's decision to engage in conduct described by Subsection (a), that person is entitled to injunctive relief and damages from any person who brought the action or obtained the judgment or who sought to enforce the judgment. Notwithstanding any other law, the relief described by this subsection must include:
(1) compensatory damages, including money damages in an amount equal to the judgment damages and costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees spent in defending the action;
(2) costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in bringing an action under this subsection;
(3) additional amounts consisting of the greater of:
(A) twice the sum of the damages, costs, expenses, and fees described by Subdivisions (1) and (2); or
(B) $100,000; and
(4) injunctive relief that restrains each person who brought the action under the clawback provision, each person in privity with the person, and each person acting in concert or participation with the person from:
(A) bringing further actions under any clawback provision against the person against whom the action was brought, each person in privity with the person, or any person providing legal representation or any type of assistance to the person;
(B) continuing to litigate any actions brought under a clawback provision against the persons described by Paragraph (A); and
(C) enforcing or attempting to enforce any judgment obtained in any actions brought under a clawback provision against the persons described by Paragraph (A).
(g) It is not a defense to an action brought under Subsection (f) that:
(1) the claimant failed to seek recovery under Subsection (f) in an action brought against the claimant under a clawback provision; or
(2) a court in a preceding action brought against the claimant declined to recognize or enforce Subsection (f) or held any provision of that subsection invalid, unconstitutional, or preempted by federal law, notwithstanding the doctrines of issue or claim preclusion.
(h) Notwithstanding any other law, Chapter 27 , Civil Practice and Remedies Code, does not apply to an action brought under Subsection (f).
(i) The Fifteenth Court of Appeals has exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction over any appeal or original proceeding arising out of a civil action brought under Subsection (f) in the courts of this state.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 5 (H.B. 7 ), Sec. 2, eff. December 4, 2025.