Texas Justices Approve New Appeals Court Handling State Disputes

Texas can launch a new statewide intermediary appeals court on Sept. 1, the Texas Supreme Court said Friday, rejecting a constitutional challenge that would’ve led to chaos in the judiciary.

Lawmakers are to create appeals courts with jurisdiction over the entire state, not just a certain region, the justices said.

“Given the text, as well as our constitutional history and tradition, we cannot conclude that the legislature exceeded its authority in enacting S.B. 1045 and creating the Fifteenth Court,” Justice Evan Young wrote for the court.

The unanimous decision green lights what will immediately become the state’s most influential ...