85R8380 SCL-F
 
  By: Hughes S.B. No. 1950
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to damages in certain contract claims against the state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2260.003, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), an award of damages
  under this chapter may include attorney's fees if:
               (1)  the claim is for breach of a written contract for:
                     (A)  engineering, architectural, or construction
  services; or 
                     (B)  materials related to the services described
  by Paragraph (A); and 
               (2)  the amount in controversy is less than $250,000,
  excluding penalties, costs, expenses, prejudgment interest, and
  attorney's fees.
         SECTION 2.  Section 2260.003, Government Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to an action filed on or after the effective
  date of this Act. An action filed before the effective date of this
  Act is governed by the law applicable to the action immediately
  before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  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.