Sec. 53.026. SHAM CONTRACT. (a) A person who labors, specially fabricates materials, or furnishes labor or materials under a direct contractual relationship with another person is considered to be in direct contractual relationship with the owner and has a lien as an original contractor, if:
(1) the owner contracted with the other person for the construction or repair of a house, building, or improvements and the owner can effectively control that person through ownership of voting stock, interlocking directorships, or otherwise;
(2) the owner contracted with the other person for the construction or repair of a house, building, or improvements and that other person can effectively control the owner through ownership of voting stock, interlocking directorships, or otherwise; or
(3) the owner contracted with the other person for the construction or repair of a house, building, or improvements and the contract was made without good faith intention of the parties that the other person was to perform the contract.
(b) In this section, "owner" does not include a person who has or claims a security interest only.
Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 3537, ch. 576, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1138, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 526, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Last modified: September 28, 2016