H.B. No. 2879
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to venue in certain actions involving a contract for an
  improvement to real property.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 15, Civil Practice and
  Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 15.021 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 15.021.  CONTRACTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO REAL PROPERTY.
  (a) A venue provision in a contract for an improvement to real
  property located in this state that requires an action involving a
  contractor, subcontractor, or materialman who is a resident of this
  state to be brought outside this state is void as a matter of public
  policy.
         (b)  To the extent that a venue provision in a contract is
  void under this section, unless the parties stipulate to another
  venue after the dispute arises, an action arising out of the
  contract shall be brought only in this state in the county in which:
               (1)  the defendant resides;
               (2)  the cause of action accrued; or
               (3)  the property that is the subject of the litigation
  is located.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2879 was passed by the House on May 6,
  2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 8, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 2879 on May 24, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2879 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 18, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor