86R1902 SCL-F
 
  By: Cyrier H.B. No. 1185
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to adjudication of claims arising from certain written
  contracts with state agencies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 114.003, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 114.003.  WAIVER OF IMMUNITY TO SUIT FOR CERTAIN
  CLAIMS.  A state agency that is authorized by statute or the
  constitution to enter into a contract and that enters into a
  contract subject to this chapter waives sovereign immunity to suit
  for the purpose of adjudicating a claim for breach [of an express
  provision] of the contract, subject to the terms and conditions of
  this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Section 114.004, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 114.004.  LIMITATIONS ON ADJUDICATION AWARDS.  (a)  The
  total amount of money awarded in an adjudication brought against a
  state agency for breach [of an express provision] of a contract
  subject to this chapter is limited to the following:
               (1)  the balance due and owed by the state agency under
  the contract as it may have been amended, including any amount owed
  as compensation for the increased cost to perform the work as a
  direct result of owner-caused delays or acceleration [if the
  contract expressly provides for that compensation];
               (2)  the amount owed for written change orders;
               (3)  reasonable and necessary attorney's fees that are
  equitable and just [based on an hourly rate that are equitable and
  just if the contract expressly provides that recovery of attorney's
  fees is available to all parties to the contract]; and
               (4)  interest at the rate specified by the contract or,
  if a rate is not specified, the rate for postjudgment interest under
  Section 304.003(c), Finance Code, but not to exceed 10 percent.
         (b)  Damages awarded in an adjudication brought against a
  state agency arising under a contract subject to this chapter may
  not include:
               (1)  consequential damages, except as expressly
  allowed under Subsection (a)(1);
               (2)  exemplary damages; or
               (3)  damages for unabsorbed home office overhead.
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 114, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
  as amended by this Act, applies only to a claim arising under a
  contract executed on or after the effective date of this Act. A
  claim that arises under a contract executed before the effective
  date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the claim
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.