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Construction contracts routinely include retention provisions, but holding back payment comes with legal limits. Prompt payment statutes in states like California and Texas regulate how much can be retained, when it must be released, and the penalties for delay. What seems like routine close-out leverage can quickly turn into statutory interest, attorney’s fees, and costly disputes.

Happy (early) New Year! Every year, January 1 brings with it a slate of new laws, and 2026 is no different. My criteria as to what constitutes a “top new law” are: what I find interesting, what will impact Heckman Law, PC clients the most, and how broad the change will be. These are focused largely on construction and real estate, but also with an eye toward business generally. Unless otherwise stated, these laws went into effect on January 1, 2026.   And I have done the same