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.