The Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA), enacted by the legislature in 2011, has been wreaking havoc in business and employment disputes due to the statute’s overbroad language, confusing and conflicting interpretation by the various courts of appeals and federal courts, and defendants’ persistence in invoking the statute’s dismissal process in trade secrets and non-compete lawsuits.
 

Technology has made monitoring and tracking drivers and loads more streamlined than ever. Trucking companies have more options than ever to monitor drivers, loads, and fleet performance.

In an 8-0 opinion, the Supreme Court ruled that New Prime, a Springfield, Missouri-based interstate trucking company cannot force its drivers to settle disputes through arbitration. See New Prime, Inc. v. Oliveira, No. 17-340, 2019 WL 189342 (U.S. Jan. 15, 2019).

On December 21, 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made an announcement that California’s state meal and rest break rules are pre-empted by the federal hours of service regulations.

The law related to civil liability for accidents involving autonomous vehicles is new and evolving. Various companies are developing autonomous vehicles, which will provide a great number of benefits.

On March 4, 2019, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision overturning the Ninth Circuit Court's award of $12.8 million in costs in the copyright infringement matter Rimini Street, Inc. et al v. Oracle USA, Inc. et al. No. 17-1625, slip op. (U.S. Mar. 4, 2019).