Amend CSHB 172 as follows: (1) Strike Subsection (a) of Section 3 of the bill and substitute the following new Subsection (a): (a) Section 1 of this Act applies only to a suit based on a Contract entered into by a unit of state government on or after the effective date of this Act. A suit based on 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 this purpose. (2) Add the following new Sections 2 through 4 to the bill and renumber existing Sections 2 through 4 accordingly: SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 201.112 to read as follows: Sec. 201.112. CONTRACT CLAIMS. (a) The commission may by rule establish procedures for the informal resolution of a claim arising out of a contract described by: (1) Section 22.018; (2) Chapter 223; or (3) Chapter 2254, Government Code. (b) If a person with a claim is dissatisfied with the department's resolution of the claim under the procedures authorized under Subsection (a), the person may request a formal administrative hearing to resolve the claim under Chapter 2001, Government Code. (c) An administrative law judge's proposal for decision rendered under Chapter 2001, Government Code, shall be submitted to the director for adoption. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the director may change a finding of fact or conclusion of law made by the administrative law judge, or may vacate or modify an order issued by the administrative judge. The director shall provide a written statement containing the reason and legal basis for a change made under this subsection. (d) The director's final order is subject to judicial review under Chapter 2001, Government Code, under the substantial evidence rule. (e) This section does not waive state immunity from liability. SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any other law, the procedure prescribed by Section 2 of this Act shall constitute the exclusive remedy at law for the resolution of a claim governed by that section. SECTION 4. (a) Sections 2 and 3 of this Act apply to any claim governed by Section 2 of this Act: (1) filed with the Texas Department of Transportation on or after the effective date of this Act; or (2) pending before the Texas Department of Transportation on the effective date of this Act. (b) For purposes of this section, a claim is pending before the Texas Department of Transportation if the claim has been filed, but the claimant has not sought judicial review under Chapter 2001, Government Code.