AI-assisted research summary: This section limits civil liability for certain licensed or registered professionals who provide qualifying architectural or engineering services during an emergency or disaster.
Sec. 150.003. LIABILITY FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING DISASTER. (a) This section applies only to a licensed or registered professional who provides architectural or engineering services if the services: (1) are authorized, as appropriate for the professional, in: (A) Chapter 1001, Occupations Code; (B) Chapter 1051, Occupations Code; (C) 22 T.A.C. Part 6 (Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors), Chapter 137 (Compliance and Professionalism); and (D) 22 T.A.C. Part 1 (Texas Board of Architectural Examiners), Chapter 1 (Architects), Subchapter H (Professional Conduct); (2) subject to Subsection (d), are provided voluntarily and without compensation or the expectation of compensation; (3) are in response to and provided during the duration of a proclaimed state of emergency under Section 433.001, Government Code, or a declared state of disaster under Section 418.014, Government Code; (4) are provided at the request or with the approval of a federal, state, or local public official acting in an official capacity in response to the proclaimed state of emergency or declared disaster, including a law enforcement official, public safety official, or building inspection official; and (5) are related to a structure, building, roadway, piping, or other system, either publicly or privately owned. (b) A licensed or registered professional who provides the services to which this section applies is not liable for civil damages, including personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or other loss related to the professional's act, error, or omission in the performance of the services, unless the act, error, or omission constitutes: (1) gross negligence; or (2) wanton, wilful, or intentional misconduct. (c) This section does not apply to a licensed or registered professional who is at the scene of the emergency to solicit business or perform a service for compensation on behalf of the professional or a person for whom the professional is an agent. (d) The entitlement of a licensed or registered professional to receive compensation for services to which this section applies does not determine whether the services provided by the professional were provided voluntarily and without compensation or the expectation of compensation. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 132 (H.B. 823), Sec. 1, eff. May 18, 2007. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1232 (H.B. 1523), Sec. 2.01, eff. September 1, 2019.