This section defines “real property service” and lists services that are included or excluded.
Sec. 151.0048. REAL PROPERTY SERVICE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), "real property service" means: (1) landscaping; (2) the care and maintenance of lawns, yards, or ornamental trees or other plants; (3) the removal or collection of garbage, rubbish, or other solid waste other than: (A) hazardous waste; (B) industrial solid waste; (C) waste material that results from an activity associated with the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, geothermal resources, or any other substance or material regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas under Section 91.101, Natural Resources Code; (D) domestic sewage or an irrigation return flow, to the extent the sewage or return flow does not constitute garbage or rubbish; and (E) industrial discharges subject to regulation by permit issued pursuant to Chapter 26, Water Code; (4) building or grounds cleaning, janitorial, or custodial services; (5) a structural pest control service covered by Section 1951.003, Occupations Code; or (6) the surveying of real property. (b) "Real property service" does not include a service listed under Subsection (a) if the service is purchased by a contractor as part of the improvement of real property with a new structure to be used as a residence or other improvement immediately adjacent to the new structure and used in the residential occupancy of the structure. (b-1) "Real property service" does not include a service listed under Subsection (a) if the service is performed by a landman and is necessary to negotiate or secure land or mineral rights for acquisition or trade, including: (1) determining ownership; (2) negotiating a trade or agreement regarding land or mineral rights; (3) drafting and administering contractual agreements; (4) ensuring that all governmental regulations are complied with; and (5) any other action necessary to complete the transaction related to a service described by this subsection, other than an information service described by Section 151.0038. (c) In this section, "contractor" means a person who makes an improvement on real estate and who, as a necessary or incidental part of the service, incorporates tangible personal property into the property improved. The term includes a builder, developer, speculative builder, or other person acting as a builder to improve residential real property. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, art. 1, pt. 4, Sec. 8. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 1031, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1000, Sec. 7, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1040, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1114, Sec. 1.01, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1114, Sec. 2.01, eff. Oct. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 14A.815, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1266 (H.B. 3319), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.