81R8582 PB-D By: Giddings H.B. No. 1657 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to workers' compensation insurance coverage regarding certain contractors. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 406.121(1) and (5), Labor Code, are amended to read as follows: (1) "General contractor" means a person who undertakes to procure the performance of work or a service for the benefit of another, either separately or through the use of subcontractors. The term includes a "principal contractor," "original contractor," "prime contractor," or other analogous term. The term does not include a motor carrier that provides a transportation service through the use of an owner operator. (5) "Subcontractor" means a person who contracts with a general contractor to perform all or any part of the work or services that the general contractor has contracted with another party [undertaken] to perform. SECTION 2. 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, 2009.