Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas construction law'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 26th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 113 amends the Code of Construction Act and the construction of laws provisions to ensure
  • Second, the Code of Construction Act and construction of laws provisions contain numerous interpretive
  • to laws that do not align with Texas industry standards.
  • in Texas will be decided in Texas under Texas law.
  • disputes on Texas projects with Texas parties in Texas. under Texas law, and frankly, it's a well-drafted
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Mar 26th, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Those designated as historic Texas cemeteries are recognized for their role in telling Texas' history
  • Every Texas county has at least one designated Historic Texas Cemetery.
  • Chairman Schofield raises... that in some cases the law creates a... a constructive easement.
  • Under current Texas law, courts are generally required to appoint a certified or licensed court interpreter
  • I'm also a trainer for the Texas.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 23rd, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Texas Construction Trust Fund Act was enacted over 30 years ago to protect payments designated as
  • Under this law...
  • construction projects.
  • We need Texas' help to ensure the survival of Texas' largest fishery.
  • This is a Texas problem that harms a Texas industry and should have a Texas solution.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 23rd, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • However, current Texas law does not provide a clear legal framework for them to exist as recognized.
  • Texas Rising Star falls under the Texas Workforce Commission, and participation is a requirement to be
  • I'm here with the Texas Ticket Sellers Association. I've lived in Texas now for 51 years.
  • It can harm Texas companies, it can harm Texas investment firms.
  • for Texas-based companies.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas, AGC, TML, TxDOT, and urban county representatives. subcontractors and suppliers on construction
  • Currently, there's no requirement in Texas law that contractors be provided with copies of documents
  • We show you as Fred Wilhelmsen Wilhelsen, registered testifying on behalf of Texas Construction Association
  • Testifying on behalf of Texas Construction Association and SELF, and that you are for the bill.
  • I also have specialized in construction law for 40 years, so if you have questions I'm happy to answer
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 3862, which would restrict social media app use for minors and limit smartphone/social media access in classrooms. Supporters, including representatives from Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media are linked to addiction, distraction, cyberbullying, and worsening youth mental health, and said the bill would help parents and schools protect children. After testimony, the committee left HB 3862 pending. Members then heard HB 3712, a construction retainage bill that would stop owners from withholding reserved funds on specially fabricated materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted, while still allowing retainage for labor and installation. Witnesses from the precast concrete industry said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk for subcontractors and suppliers. The bill was left pending after closing. The committee also heard HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for owners and independent repair providers, with carve-outs for medical devices, vehicles covered by existing repair agreements, trade secrets, and security protections. Support came from consumer, environmental, repair, and policy groups, while one witness from Safelite was neutral and urged removal of the MOU reference for auto manufacturers. HB 2963 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4308, which would create county industrial development districts to attract industrial employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and a board structure. Supporters, including the Fort Bend County commissioner, said the bill would help counties diversify tax bases and create jobs; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee took up several pending bills and voted to report HB 74, HB 112, HB 2214, HB 3016, HB 3133, HB 3173, HB 3807, HB 4063, HB 4115, HB 5008, and HB 2652 favorably to the full House, with some sent to the Local and Consent Calendars. The committee also heard HB 3874 on construction contract transparency and HB 4196 on creating a task force to modernize manufacturing, both of which were left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for re-roofing contractors; supporters said it would curb storm-chasing and protect homeowners, while one roofing contractor opposed it as too restrictive and argued existing fraud laws are sufficient. HB 3344 was also left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, there's no requirement in Texas law that contractors be provided with copies of documents
  • Texas construction laws establish a unique payment system for construction projects incorporating reserve
  • An established part of Texas law has long been rights of offset or setoff.
  • Since 1909, Texas law has required owners to withhold 10% of the amounts owed under a construction contract
  • And members, thank you for the construction law 101 that you've got to sit through here tonight.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to technology, construction, economic development, and consumer protection. HB 3862 would restrict minors’ access to certain social media apps and limit smartphone use in classrooms; supporters, including Champions for Childhood, argued that smartphones and social media contribute to addiction, distraction, depression, self-harm, and trafficking risks, and the bill was left pending. HB 3712 would change Texas retainage rules so owners could not withhold payment on specially fabricated construction materials once they are delivered, approved, and warranted; subcontractors and suppliers said current retainage practices delay payment for years and create financial risk, and the bill was left pending. HB 2963, the right-to-repair bill, would require manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information for independent repair of digital devices, with exemptions for medical devices, vehicles under existing agreements, and trade-secret protections; consumer, environmental, business, and repair advocates supported it, while Safelite asked that automotive manufacturers not be excluded from the bill, and it was left pending. HB 4308 would create county industrial development districts to attract major employers and finance infrastructure through local elections and bonds; Fort Bend County supported it as a tool to add jobs and broaden the tax base, and it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 3344, which would create a licensing system for re-roofing contractors, require insurance and bonding, and establish a public database and complaint process. Supporters said it would help curb storm chasers and protect homeowners after storms, while opponents argued it would add burdens on legitimate small roofers, duplicate existing fraud laws, and potentially restrict consumer choice and contractor pricing flexibility. After extensive testimony and questions, the bill was left pending. HB 4196 would create a task force on modernizing manufacturing through digital integration and automation; Schneider Electric and the Texas Workforce Commission supported it as a way to improve competitiveness and create skilled jobs, and it was left pending. HB 3874 would require contractors to receive copies of incorporated contract documents before signing if requested; subcontractors and construction attorneys said it would improve transparency and prevent parties from being bound by unseen terms, and it was left pending. In pending business, the committee voted out several bills. HB 74, creating the Port Verde Port Authority District, was reported favorably to the full House without amendment. HB 112, relating to a science park in certain counties, was reported favorably as substituted. HB 2214, on floodplain notice requirements for leased dwellings, HB 3016, on rental vehicle damage waivers, HB 3133, on explicit deepfake material on social media, HB 3173, on workforce development program planning and evaluation, HB 3807, on child care waiting list priority for children of certain child care workers, HB 463, on unilateral memoranda of contract for residential property, HB 4115, on shareholder proposals to certain domestic corporations, and HB 5008, on use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities, were all reported favorably, most without amendment and some as substituted. HB 2652, creating a certified caregiver pilot program in the Borderplex workforce area, was also reported favorably and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 15th, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, there's no requirement in Texas law that contractors be provided with copies of documents.
  • We show you as Fred Wilshusen registered to testify on behalf of the Texas Construction Association.
  • Texas construction laws establish a unique payment system for construction projects incorporating...
  • An established part of Texas law has long been the rights of offset or set-off.
  • Since 1909, Texas law has required owners to withhold 10% of the amount sold under a... ...construction
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • contracts must be litigated in the Texas County where the construction project is located.
  • I'm here on behalf of the Texas Construction Association.
  • I am a board-certified construction lawyer and a registered architect here in Texas.
  • I've been practicing law exclusively in construction law for many years, and House Bill 272 has always
  • It's actually on the approved list of trainings under Jenna's Law in Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate floor shows that Texas is leading, and the place where I think Texas is doing the best job
  • And so in Canon Law, in the Catholic Church, we use Canon Law as our. legislative guidelines.
  • I am here on behalf of the Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, or CAC Texas, and I'm testifying in
  • SB 35, aka Trace Law.
  • So Texas needs to pass Trey's Law now and protect children, not predators. Thank you.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 30th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • law enforcement.
  • At its core, homeland security is a law enforcement function, and Texas needs a law enforcement agency
  • So then, how would you set it up for Texas?
  • Law enforcement.
  • Along that, they fill in the gap for law enforcement.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 30th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The training program developed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) will be evidence-based
  • to a more competitive pay scale would greatly benefit law enforcement operations in Texas.
  • I'm Greg Stephens, the Executive Director with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
  • I've commissioned peace officers as part of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
  • I'm the Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Please pass House Bill 2765 to bolster our rural economy, protect Texas landowners, and sustain Texas
  • This established the Texas Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program at the Texas Workforce Commission
  • Commission, and Michael Maroney from Texas Manufacturers.
  • Under current law, individuals appealing a final decision by the Texas Workforce Commission must file
  • I represent the Texas Nurses Association.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • TCEQ, has 18 months to begin construction.
  • Denise Chaney, and I represent the Probate and Trust Law Institute.
  • Unfortunately, they use the term "real property," and under Texas law, real property includes water and
  • Simply put, we all support the growth of Texas.
  • It says Chief Engineer in Construction, USACE.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • A provision in a construction contract related to electric infrastructure construction maintenance of
  • Construction Association.
  • , or a substantially similar federal law, or law in another state as a means of proving coerced debt
  • I'm a professor of law at the University of Michigan. the University of Texas Law School, and I am testifying
  • Wilson Construction in McAllen, Texas, and I've worked. in the Texas construction industry for over 27
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Fred Wilshusen and I'm general counsel for the Texas Construction Association testifying against
  • For Texas New Mexico Power, we're an electric utility serving 275,000 customers across Texas.
  • Chairman and members, I'm Jennifer Fagan, and I'm here on behalf of the Texas Construction Association
  • I'm a professor of law at the University of Texas Law School, Angela Litwin: And I'm testifying on HB
  • I'm the president and CEO of D Wilson Construction in McAllen, Texas, and I've worked in the Texas construction
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Fred Wilshus, and I'm general counsel for the Texas Construction Association, testifying against
  • Chairman, members, I'm Jennifer Fagan, and I'm here on behalf of the Texas Construction Association.
  • or a substantially similar federal law or law in another state as a means of proving coerced debt and
  • or a substantially similar federal law or law in another state as a means of proving coerced debt and
  • I'm a professor of law at the University of Texas Law School, and I'm testifying on HB 4238 in my individual
Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several House bills without opposition, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061. Each was moved out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard HB 3306, which would extend existing construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure construction, maintenance, and vegetation management work for electric utilities and transmission and distribution utilities. The sponsor said the bill would reduce litigation and insurance costs for ratepayers, while construction industry witnesses argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity in a way Texas law has generally prohibited since 2011. HB 3306 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill to repeal an outdated Finance Code provision requiring remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the state, and HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all Department of Banking-requested cleanup bills dealing with confidentiality and supervision rules for perpetual care funds, state banks, and trust companies. Those bills were briefly explained and left pending without testimony. HB 4219, aimed at improving Public Information Act compliance by requiring timely notice when records do not exist or are being withheld, allowing complaints to the Attorney General, and imposing training and fee consequences for noncompliance, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst and was also left pending. The committee then heard HB 4238 on coerced debt and identity theft. The sponsor explained that the committee substitute narrows the bill to court-ordered findings of identity theft/coerced debt, gives collectors seven business days to stop collection activity, and removes a section to avoid litigation over court orders. A law professor and a family violence advocate testified in strong support, describing coerced debt as a barrier for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors trying to rebuild credit and access housing, jobs, and utilities. The bill was left pending. HB 1522, which would require local governments to post meeting notices three business days in advance and make budget materials more accessible online and in physical form, also drew support, though a school business officials representative raised concerns about the timing language, proposed-budget wording, and taxpayer impact statements for school districts; the bill was left pending after discussion. Later, the committee heard additional pending bills, including a PUC background-check bill that would expand the commission’s authority to check current employees and contractors and obtain FBI criminal history information, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending HOA solar-panel protections to solar tiles, and HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance and recycler solvency. HB 3228 received support from a Sierra Club witness who said recycling and disposal plans are needed for end-of-life renewable energy equipment, and HB 3229 was described as requiring recyclers to show financial resources at 125 percent through a letter of credit or bond. These bills were heard and left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Fred Wilshus, and I'm general counsel for the Texas Construction Association, testifying against
  • Chairman, members, I'm Jennifer Fagan, and I'm here on behalf of the Texas Construction Association.
  • or a substantially similar federal law or law in another state as a means of proving coerced debt and
  • I'm a professor of law at the University of Texas Law School, and I'm testifying on HB 4238 in my individual
  • Wilson Construction in McAllen, Texas, and I've worked in the Texas construction industry for over 27
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up pending business, reporting several House bills favorably to the full Senate, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061, with some also recommended for the local and uncontested or contested calendars. The committee then heard and left pending HB 3306, which would extend construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure work, including construction, maintenance, and vegetation management for utilities. Supporters said it would align utility infrastructure work with public works and reduce litigation and ratepayer costs, while opponents argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity concerns. Members also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill repealing an outdated Finance Code provision tied to delinquency charges on retail charge accounts, and left it pending without testimony. The committee then considered several Department of Banking cleanup bills, including HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all left pending after brief explanations and no public opposition. HB 4219, dealing with public information requests, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst who said it would improve transparency by requiring timely responses, notice when records do not exist, and training or fee consequences for noncompliance; it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4238, a committee substitute addressing coerced debt and identity theft, which would bar collection of certain debts from victims who obtain a qualifying court order. A law professor and a family violence advocate supported the bill as narrow, protective relief for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and it was left pending. Other bills heard and left pending included HB 1522 on local government budget meeting posting and taxpayer impact disclosures, HB 4344 authorizing background checks for PUC employees and contractors, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending solar-panel HOA protections to solar tiles, HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance, and HB 1922 clarifying the accrual date for construction defect claims under right-to-repair law. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill would grant the Texas A&M University Board of Regents the authority to construct and acquire
  • Under existing Texas property law, 90 percent of all funds...
  • Fred Wilsh is in general counsel for the Texas Construction Association, testifying in favor of Senate
  • The Texas Construction Trust Fund Act should be extended to protect the 10% reserve funds as well.
  • My name is Jennifer Fagan, and I'm with the Texas Construction Association.