S.B. No. 1215
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a joint interim committee to study
  issues related to construction contracts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a)  A joint interim
  committee is created to conduct a study under Section 2 of this Act.
         (b)  The joint interim committee is composed of members of
  the appropriate standing committees of the senate and the house of
  representatives as determined by the lieutenant governor and the
  speaker of the house of representatives.
         (c)  The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
  representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the
  joint interim committee members, and the joint interim committee
  shall convene at the joint call of the co-chairs.
         (d)  The joint interim committee has all other powers and
  duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the
  senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
  Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees
  on administration.
         SECTION 2.  INTERIM STUDY. (a)  The joint interim committee
  shall conduct a study on issues relating to construction contracts
  in this state to the extent the committee determines appropriate.
  Those issues may include:
               (1)  the allocation of liability among persons involved
  in a construction project;
               (2)  relationships among parties to construction
  contracts, including property owners, general contractors,
  subcontractors, and design professionals;
               (3)  liens on real property arising from construction
  contracts;
               (4)  indemnification and insurance issues;
               (5)  warranties;
               (6)  standards of care for persons involved in
  construction projects; and
               (7)  civil actions and other forms of dispute
  resolution arising from construction defects and remedies for
  construction defects.
         (b)  Not later than December 1, 2018, the joint interim
  committee shall issue a report on the study required under this
  section to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
  representatives, and the appropriate standing committees of the
  house of representatives and the senate.
         SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION. The joint interim committee created
  under Section 1 of this Act is abolished and this Act expires
  September 1, 2019.
         SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1215 passed the Senate on
  April 19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 27, 2017, by the
  following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1215 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 77,
  Nays 69, one present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor