Unreported / Non-Citable
Background
Harris Central Appraisal District, formerly known as Harris County Appraisal District, brought an interlocutory appeal from the 157th District Court of Harris County’s denial of its plea to the jurisdiction.
On August 27, 2026, the First Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s order and rendered judgment granting the plea. HCAD later filed an agreed motion stating that the parties had settled all disputes in the case and requesting dismissal of the appeal, with each party bearing its own costs.
The Court’s Holding
The court granted the agreed motion, vacated its August 27, 2026 judgment, and dismissed the appeal. It also ordered the parties to bear their own costs in accordance with their agreement.
The parties did not ask the court to withdraw its August 27 opinion, and the court declined to do so. Thus, the earlier judgment was vacated, but the previously issued opinion was not withdrawn.
Key Takeaways
- A post-decision settlement led the court to dismiss the interlocutory appeal.
- The court vacated its prior judgment granting HCAD’s plea to the jurisdiction.
- The August 27, 2026 opinion remains unwithdrawn, and each party must bear its own costs.
Why It Matters
The disposition illustrates the distinction between vacating an appellate judgment and withdrawing the accompanying opinion. Although settlement eliminated the need to maintain the judgment or continue the appeal, the court left its earlier written opinion in place because the parties did not request its withdrawal.