By: Landgraf, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Hughes) H.B. No. 1578
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 21, 2021;
  May 6, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on State
  Affairs; May 10, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 10, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to recovery of attorney's fees in certain civil cases.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 38.001, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 38.001.  RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES. (a) In this
  section, "organization" has the meaning assigned by Section 1.002,
  Business Organizations Code.
         (b)  A person may recover reasonable attorney's fees from an
  individual or organization [corporation], in addition to the amount
  of a valid claim and costs, if the claim is for:
               (1)  rendered services;
               (2)  performed labor;
               (3)  furnished material;
               (4)  freight or express overcharges;
               (5)  lost or damaged freight or express;
               (6)  killed or injured stock;
               (7)  a sworn account; or
               (8)  an oral or written contract.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an award of attorney's fees in an action commenced on or after
  the effective date of this Act. An award of attorney's fees in an
  action commenced before the effective date of this Act is governed
  by the law applicable to the award immediately before the effective
  date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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