(a) The attorney general may petition the chief justice of the supreme court to convene a special three-judge district court in any suit filed in a district court in this state in which this state or a state officer or agency is a defendant in a claim that:
(1) challenges the finances or operations of this state’s public school system; or
(2) involves the apportionment of districts for the house of representatives, the senate, the State Board of Education, or the United States Congress, or state judicial districts.
(b) A petition filed by the attorney general under this section stays all proceedings in the district court in which the original case was filed until the chief justice of the supreme court acts on the petition.

(c) Within a reasonable time after receipt of a petition from the attorney general under Subsection (a), the chief justice of the supreme court shall grant the petition and issue an order transferring the case to a special three-judge district court convened as provided by Section 22A.002.