1. As used in this section, “in-state construction contract” means a public, private, foreign, or domestic agreement relating to construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance of any real property in this state and includes agreements for architectural services, demolition, design services, development, engineering services, excavation, or any other improvement to real property in this state, including buildings, shafts, wells, and structures, whether on, above, or under real property in this state. “In-state construction contract” does not include any agreement between this state and any other state.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 537A.6

  • Contract: means the same as defined in section 554D. See Iowa Code 554E.1
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • engineering: means "professional engineer" or "professional engineering". See Iowa Code 542B.2
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • real property: include lands, tenements, hereditaments, and all rights thereto and interests therein, equitable as well as legal. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. A provision of an in-state construction contract is void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy if the provision does any of the following:

 a. Makes the in-state construction contract subject to the laws of another state.
 b. Requires any litigation, mediation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution proceeding arising from the in-state construction contract to be conducted in another state.
 3. The laws of this state shall apply to every in-state construction contract.
 4. Any litigation, mediation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution proceeding arising from or relating to an in-state construction contract shall be conducted in this state.