AN ACT 1-1 relating to the status of certain oil and gas workers or services 1-2 providers as independent contractors. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Section 406.123, Labor Code, is amended by adding 1-5 Subsection (h) to read as follows: 1-6 (h) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a person who performs 1-7 work or provides a service for an oil or gas well operator and who 1-8 is an independent contractor that has no employees shall be treated 1-9 in the same manner as an independent contractor with employees and 1-10 is not entitled to coverage under the general contractor's workers' 1-11 compensation insurance policy unless the independent contractor and 1-12 the general contractor enter into an agreement under this section. 1-13 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 1-14 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-15 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-16 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-17 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-18 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 445 passed the Senate on April 9, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 445 passed the House on May 1, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor