GOVERNMENTAL EXEMPTION FROM BOND AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Tex. CIV. PRAC. & REM Code ch. 6
in effect

Tex. CIV. PRAC. & REM Code § 6.001. STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES EXEMPT FROM BOND FOR COURT COSTS OR APPEAL.

(a) A governmental entity or officer listed in Subsection (b) may not be required to file a bond for court costs incident to a suit filed by the entity or officer or for an appeal or writ of error taken out by the entity or officer and is not required to give a surety for the issuance of a bond to take out a writ of attachment, writ of sequestration, distress warrant, or writ of garnishment in a civil suit. (b) The following are exempt from the bond requirements: (1) this state; (2) a department of this state; (3) the head of a department of this state; (4) a county of this state; (5) the Federal Housing Administration; (6) the Federal National Mortgage Association; (7) the Government National Mortgage Association; (8) the Veterans' Administration; (9) the administrator of veterans affairs; (10) any national mortgage savings and loan insurance corporation created by an act of congress as a national relief organization that operates on a statewide basis; and (11) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in its capacity as receiver or in its corporate capacity. (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a county or district attorney is not exempted from filing a bond to take out an extraordinary writ unless the commissioners court of the county approves the exemption in an action brought in behalf of the county or unless the attorney general approves the exemption in an action brought in behalf of the state.

Tex. CIV. PRAC. & REM Code § 6.002. CITIES EXEMPT FROM SECURITY FOR COURT COSTS.

(a) Security for costs may not be required of an incorporated city or town of this state in an action, suit, or proceeding. (b) A municipality may institute and prosecute suits without giving security for cost and may appeal from judgment without giving supersedeas or cost bond.

Tex. CIV. PRAC. & REM Code § 6.003. WATER DISTRICTS EXEMPT FROM APPEAL BOND.

(a) A governmental entity listed in Subsection (b) may not be required to give bond on an appeal or writ of error taken in a civil case that the entity is prosecuting or defending in its official capacity. (b) The following are exempt from the appeal bond requirements: (1) a water improvement district, a water control and improvement district, an irrigation district, a conservation and reclamation district, or a water control and preservation district organized under state law; (2) a levee improvement district organized under state law; (3) a drainage district organized under state law; and (4) an entity created under Section 52 , Article III, or Section 59 , Article XVI, Texas Constitution.

Tex. CIV. PRAC. & REM Code § 6.004. SCHOOL DISTRICTS EXEMPT FROM SECURITY FOR COURT COSTS AND APPEAL BOND.

A school district may institute and prosecute suits without giving security for cost and may appeal from judgment without giving supersedeas or cost bond. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 243 (H.B. 942 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/28/2026