Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 54B.016. Appeal to Referring Court

(a) Any party is entitled to a hearing by the judge of the referring court if, not later than three days, computed in the manner provided by Rule 4, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, after the date the associate judge gives the notice required by Section 54B.011, an appeal of the associate judge's report is filed with the referring court.

(b) The first day of the appeal time to the referring courts begins on the day after the day on which the associate judge gives the notice required by Section 54B.011.

(c) An appeal to the referring court shall be in writing and must specify the associate judge's findings, conclusions, and recommendations to which the party objects. The appeal is limited to the findings, conclusions, and recommendations specified in the written appeal.

(d) On appeal to the referring court, the parties may present witnesses as in a hearing de novo on the issues raised in the appeal.

(e) Notice of any appeal to the referring court shall be given to opposing counsel in the manner provided by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

(f) If an appeal to the referring court is filed by a party, any other party may file an appeal to the referring court not later than the seventh day after the date the initial appeal was filed.

(g) The referring court, after notice to the parties, shall hold a hearing on all appeals not later than the 30th day after the date on which the initial appeal was filed with the referring court.

(h) Before a hearing before an associate judge, the parties may waive the right of appeal to the referring court. The waiver may be in writing or on the record.