SRC-SLL H.B. 1456 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1456
By: Goolsby (Cain)
Jurisprudence
5-13-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, architects and engineers are protected with a 10-year statute
of limitation for any suit that is filed against any work that the
architect or engineer may have performed.  Interior designers and
landscape architects are not included in this protection.  This bill will
provide a statute of limitations for claims against licensed interior
designers and landscape architects. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1456  provides a statute of limitations for claims
against licensed interior designers and landscape architects. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 16.008, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by
amending the heading, as follows: 

Sec.  16.008.  New heading: ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS, AND
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS FURNISHING DESIGN, PLANNING, OR INSPECTION OF
CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS. 

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 16.008(a) and (c), Civil Practice and Remedies
Code, to require a person to bring suit for damages for a claim listed in
Subsection (b) against an interior designer or landscape architect in this
state within a certain time.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1997.

(b) Makes application of this Act retroactive, except as provided by
Subsection (c). 

(c) Provides that this Act does not apply to a cause of action for which
suit is commenced with respect to the cause of action before January 1,
1998. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.