H.B. No. 1578         AN ACT   relating to recovery of attorney's fees in certain civil cases.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 38.001, Civil Practice and Remedies   Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 38.001.  RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES. (a) In this   section, "organization" has the meaning assigned by Section 1.002,   Business Organizations Code.          (b)  A person may recover reasonable attorney's fees from an   individual or organization other than a quasi-governmental entity   authorized to perform a function by state law, a religious   organization, a charitable organization, or a charitable trust   [corporation], in addition to the amount of a valid claim and costs,   if the claim is for:                (1)  rendered services;                (2)  performed labor;                (3)  furnished material;                (4)  freight or express overcharges;                (5)  lost or damaged freight or express;                (6)  killed or injured stock;                (7)  a sworn account; or                (8)  an oral or written contract.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to an award of attorney's fees in an action commenced on or after   the effective date of this Act. An award of attorney's fees in an   action commenced before the effective date of this Act is governed   by the law applicable to the award immediately before the effective   date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 1578 was passed by the House on April   20, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 1578 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 135, Nays 10,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 1578 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 24, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays   1.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor