By:  Martin                                            H.B. No. 228
       73R1778 LJD-D
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the release of a mechanic's, contractor's, or
    1-3  materialman's lien.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Section 53.152(a), Property Code, is amended to
    1-6  read as follows:
    1-7        (a)  When a debt for labor or materials is satisfied or paid
    1-8  by collected funds, the person who furnished the labor or materials
    1-9  shall, not later than the 10th day after the date of satisfaction
   1-10  or payment <receipt of a written request>, furnish to the owner
   1-11  <requesting person> a release of the indebtedness and any lien
   1-12  claimed, to the extent of the indebtedness paid.  <An owner, the
   1-13  original contractor, or any person making the payment may request
   1-14  the release.>
   1-15        SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-16  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-17  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   1-18  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   1-19  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   1-20  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   1-21  passage, and it is so enacted.