According to the Legislative Budget Board's (LBB) fiscal note, the bill does not introduce any significant financial burden on the state government, as any costs associated with its implementation can be managed within existing resources.

Additionally, no notable fiscal impact is anticipated for local government entities. The bill primarily addresses contractual liability provisions related to land surveying services rather than imposing new regulatory or financial obligations on state or local agencies.

HB 2203 is a necessary and equitable expansion of previously enacted protections for professionals in the construction industry. SB 687 addresses unfair third-party liability clauses in construction contracts that currently impose undue financial risk on land surveyors. These clauses often require subcontractors, including land surveyors, architects, and engineers, to be held liable for negligence they did not commit, an issue that was partially resolved by the passage of HB 2116 in the 87th Legislature for architects and engineers. HB 2203 simply extends the same protections to land surveyors, ensuring that they are only responsible for their own professional work and negligence.

From a policy standpoint, this measure promotes fair contractual practices and free enterprise by preventing businesses from shifting liability inappropriately. It also upholds individual responsibility, as professionals remain accountable for their own work but are not burdened with uninsurable risks from third-party actions. Given that this bill aligns with principles of fairness, personal responsibility, and limited government intervention, Texas Policy Research recommends lawmakers vote YES on HB 2203.

• SB 687 (Same As)