Monitoring the Session

HB 2960

bill voiding out-of-state dispute clauses in construction contracts

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Richard HayesRHouse 57

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to void provisions contained in certain construction contracts.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Voidable becomes automatically void for Texas work.

The bill makes any clause in a Texas construction contract that sends disputes to another state's law, another state's courts, or out-of-state arbitration automatically void, instead of voidable only at the choice of the party doing the work. It touches contractors, subcontractors, owners and developers who sign construction contracts covering Texas work. When such a clause is void, the lawsuit must be filed in Texas in the county where the property sits, unless the parties agree on another venue after the dispute starts, and the rule covers only contracts signed or renewed after the bill takes effect.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2960 · 2025-02-18

SOLD BY

+ 6 coauthors

ITEM

relating to void provisions contained in certain construction contracts.

WHAT IT DOES

Voidable becomes automatically void for Texas work.

The bill makes any clause in a Texas construction contract that sends disputes to another state's law, another state's courts, or out-of-state arbitration automatically void, instead of voidable only at the choice of the party doing the work. It touches contractors, subcontractors, owners and developers who sign construction contracts covering Texas work. When such a clause is void, the lawsuit must be filed in Texas in the county where the property sits, unless the parties agree on another venue after the dispute starts, and the rule covers only contracts signed or renewed after the bill takes effect.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Committee substitute considered in committee
  11. Reported favorably as substituted
  12. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  13. Committee report distributed
  14. Committee report sent to Calendars
  15. Considered in Calendars
  16. Placed on General State Calendar
  17. Read 2nd time
  18. Passed to engrossment
  19. Record vote RV#612
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#722
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to State Affairs
  28. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Testimony taken in committee
  31. Left pending in committee
  32. Considered in public hearing
  33. Vote taken in committee
  34. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  35. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  36. Committee report printed and distributed
  37. Placed on intent calendar
  38. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  39. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  40. Vote recorded in Journal
  41. Three day rule suspended
  42. Record vote
  43. Read 3rd time
  44. Passed
  45. Record vote
  46. Senate passage reported
  47. Reported enrolled
  48. Signed in the House
  49. Signed in the Senate
  50. Sent to the Governor
  51. Signed by the Governor
  52. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 148 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 29, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 19, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donors

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$204,650.12

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$204,650.12

Cash
$85,000.00
Paid by others
$119,650.12
Total
$204,650.12
mail $104,250.12polling $15,400.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 27, 2025 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010307, 101032268, 101069605, 101071583.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$40,400.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$40,400.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$15,400.00
Total
$40,400.00
polling $15,400.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 22, 2026 to Oct 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101069605, 101071583.

Michael Tenny$20,000.00
Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$204,650.12

Cash
$85,000.00
Paid by others
$119,650.12
Total
$204,650.12
mail $104,250.12polling $15,400.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 27, 2025 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101010307, 101032268, 101069605, 101071583.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$40,400.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$15,400.00
Total
$40,400.00
polling $15,400.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 22, 2026 to Oct 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101069605, 101071583.

Votes5

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Hughes moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2960 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Hughes moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2960 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 19, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea
148
Nay
0
Present, not voting
1
Absent
0
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 722

HB 2960 was passed by (Record 722): 148 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 148 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 28, 2025

Yea
142
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
2
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 612

CSHB 2960 was passed to engrossment by (Record 612): 142 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 142 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses13
For
12
Against
0
On
1
Names

For

  • AGC- Texas Building Branch1 registration
  • AGC-Texas Building Branch1 registration
  • Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas1 registration
  • Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas inc.1 registration
  • Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, Inc1 registration
  • Precast Concrete Manufacturers Assoc. of Texas, Texas Crane Owners Association1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Texans for Lawsuit Reform1 registration
  • Texas Construction Association2 registrations
  • The Associated General Contractors of Texas - Highway, Heavy, Utilities and Industrial Branch1 registration
  • Zachry Construction Corporation1 registration

On

  • Self1 registration
Sources

13 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 18, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Sponsors

House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Business & Commerce--General

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

CONTRACTORS & SUBCONTRACTORS

Text

The text as introduced · 368 words

By: Hayes
H.B. No. 2960

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to void provisions contained in certain construction

contracts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 272.001, Business &

Commerce Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 272.001. CERTAIN [ VOIDABLE ] CONTRACT PROVISIONS VOID

[ PROVISION ].

SECTION 2. Section 272.001(b), Business & Commerce Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) If a construction contract or an agreement collateral to

or affecting the construction contract contains a provision making

the contract or agreement or any conflict arising under the

contract or agreement subject to another state's law, litigation in

the courts of another state, or arbitration in another state, that

provision is void as against public policy [ voidable by a party

obligated by the contract or agreement to perform the work that is

the subject of the construction contract ].

c) 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 the

property that is the subject of the litigation is located.

SECTION 3. Subsection 15.020(d) of the Civil Practice and

Remedies Code is amended to read as follows:

(d) This section does not apply to an action if:

(1) the agreement described by this section was

unconscionable at the time that it was made;

(2) the agreement regarding venue is [ voidable ] void

under Chapter 272, Business & Commerce Code; or

(3) venue is established under a statute of this state

other than this title.

SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a contract that is entered into or renewed on or after the effective

date of this Act.

SECTION 5. 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, 2025.