85R26241 CLG-F
 
  By: Creighton S.B. No. 807
 
  (Workman)
 
  Substitute the following for S.B. No. 807:  No.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to choice of law and venue for certain construction
  contracts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 272, Business & Commerce
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 272. LAW APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS [FOR
  CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR OF REAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS]
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 272, Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended by adding Section 272.0001 and amending Sections 272.001
  and 272.002 to read as follows:
         Sec. 272.0001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "construction
  contract" means a contract, subcontract, or agreement entered into
  or made by an owner, architect, engineer, contractor, construction
  manager, subcontractor, supplier, or material or equipment lessor
  for the design, construction, alteration, renovation, remodeling,
  or repair of, or for the furnishing of material or equipment for, a
  building, structure, appurtenance, or other improvement to or on
  public or private real property, including moving, demolition, and
  excavation connected with the real property.  The term includes an
  agreement to which an architect, engineer, or contractor and an
  owner's lender are parties regarding an assignment of the
  construction contract or other modifications thereto.
         Sec. 272.001.  VOIDABLE CONTRACT PROVISION. (a) This
  section applies only to a construction contract concerning [that is
  principally for the construction or repair of an improvement to]
  real property located in this state.
         (b)  If a construction contract or an agreement collateral to
  or affecting the construction contract contains a provision making
  the contract or agreement or any conflict arising under the
  contract or agreement subject to another state's law, litigation in
  the courts of another state, or arbitration in another state, that
  provision is voidable by a [the] party obligated by the contract or
  agreement to perform the work that is the subject of the
  construction contract [or repair].
         Sec. 272.002.  INAPPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER [CONTRACT
  PRINCIPALLY FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR OF REAL PROPERTY
  IMPROVEMENTS]. This chapter does not apply to a construction [(a)
  For purposes of this chapter, a contract is principally for the
  construction or repair of an improvement to real property located
  in this state if the contract obligates a party, as the party's
  principal obligation under the contract, to provide labor or labor
  and materials as a general contractor or subcontractor for the
  construction or repair of an improvement to real property located
  in this state.
         [(b)     For purposes of this chapter, a contract is not
  principally for the construction or repair of an improvement to
  real property located in this state if the] contract that:
               (1)  is a partnership agreement or other agreement
  governing an entity or trust;
               (2)  provides for a loan or other extension of credit
  and the party promising to perform the work that is the subject of
  the construction contract [construct or repair the improvement] is
  doing so as part of the party's agreements with the lender or other
  person who extends credit; or
               (3)  is for the management of real property or
  improvements and the obligation to perform the work that is the
  subject of the construction contract [construct or repair the
  improvement] is part of that management.
         [(c)     Subsections (a) and (b) do not provide an exclusive
  list of the situations in which a contract is or is not principally
  for the construction or repair of an improvement to real property
  located in this state.]
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a contract, or an agreement collateral to or affecting a contract,
  entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. A
  contract, or an agreement collateral to or affecting a contract,
  entered into before the effective date of this Act is governed by
  the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this
  Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.