Texas Representative Christina Morales (D) introduced Texas House Bill 4067 (HB 4067), which seeks to prohibit most noncompete agreements in the state of Texas, on March 7, 2025. This bill, if enacted, would broadly restrict employers from enforcing noncompete agreements against workers, with limited exceptions.
Under case law, non-competes will only be enforceable if they are no wider than reasonably necessary to protect a legitimate interest (e.g. protection of confidential information or customer contacts) and are not contrary to the public interest.
The answer is: Yes, they can be. Texas law makes non-compete agreements enforceable if they are: Accompanied by or part of an otherwise enforceable agreement; Supported by valid consideration (ie.
In Texas, a court has the ability to modify – or even nullify – the non-compete if the court determines that it is not reasonable. The courts are given wide latitude to reform a non-compete if the court believes the scope of activity, duration, or geographic area are too restrictive.
compete in Texas is void if it has unreasonable terms, lacks adequate consideration, or doesn't protect legitimate business interests.
A federal court in Texas has thrown out the government's ban on noncompete agreements that was set to take effect September 4. In her ruling, Judge Ada Brown of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas wrote that the federal agency had overstepped its power when it approved the ban.
Unlike a handful of other states where non-compete agreements have few restrictions or are outright prohibited, Texas is fairly permissive on the enforcement of these agreements. Public policy ing to Texas courts has generally been to promote competition instead of limiting it.
Does a Non-Compete Agreement Apply in a Lay-off or Termination? In Texas, there is no requirement that the employee must leave on their own terms to preserve the enforceability of the non-compete agreement. In other words, a non-compete agreement remains in force whether the employee quit, was fired, or laid off.
competition agreement (“noncompete”) prohibits an employee from working for a competitor or opening a competing business, typically for a certain period of time after an employee leaves a job.
Do You Have a Non-Compete? If you are subject to a non-compete, you should consult with a lawyer about what effect it may have on your business plan. A non-compete or covenant not to compete is an agreement not to compete with your employer in a certain practice and geographical area.