85R3446 GRM-D
By: Bell H.B. No. 1224
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to compliance of excavators of underground utilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 251.157, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) In a civil action brought against an excavator for
damages related to an excavation, the plaintiff must show that the
proximate cause of the damages was the excavator's failure to
comply with Section 251.151.
SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a cause of action that
accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. A cause of
action that accrued before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law applicable to the cause of 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.