Bill Text: TX HB1963 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Relating to construction contract trust funds.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-05-09 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB1963 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB1963-Comm_Sub.html
88R4726 SHH-F | ||
By: Leach | H.B. No. 1963 |
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relating to construction contract trust funds. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 162.001, Property Code, is amended by | ||
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: | ||
(a-1) Funds reserved or required to be reserved under | ||
Section 53.101 are trust funds. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 162.003(a), Property Code, is amended to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(a) An artisan, laborer, mechanic, contractor, | ||
subcontractor, or materialman who labors or who furnishes labor or | ||
material for the construction or repair of an improvement on | ||
specific real property in this state is a beneficiary of any trust | ||
funds: | ||
(1) paid or received in connection with the | ||
improvement; or | ||
(2) reserved or required to be reserved under Section | ||
53.101 in connection with the improvement. | ||
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Property Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 162.034 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 162.034. ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS. The court shall | ||
award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to a beneficiary who | ||
prevails in an action brought against a trustee under this chapter. | ||
SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this | ||
section, the changes in law made by this Act apply only to a | ||
construction contract that is entered into on or after the | ||
effective date of this Act. | ||
(b) Section 162.034, Property Code, as added by this Act, | ||
applies only to an action commenced on or after the effective date | ||
of this Act. | ||
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |