Dallas/fort Worth International Airport Board v. Funderburk

The primary issue we address in this appeal is whether Appellant Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board (DFW Board) is immune from suit for alleged violations of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA or the Act). See TEX. LAB. CODE ANN.§ 21.002(8)(D) (Vernon Supp. 2005), §§ .051, .106, .252, .254 (Vernon 1996). Because we hold that Appellant falls within the TCHRAs definition of "employer" as a "state instrumentality" and because the TCHRA waives sovereign immunity from suit as to the entities defined by the Act as employers, we will affirm the trial courts judgment denying Appellants plea to the jurisdiction.