81R4746 AJA-D
By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 677
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring solar panels to be offered by certain
builders of new homes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading of Subtitle F, Title 16, Property
Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBTITLE F. REGULATION [INSPECTION] OF [NEW] RESIDENTIAL
CONSTRUCTION GENERALLY
SECTION 2. The heading of Chapter 446, Property Code, is
amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 446. INSPECTION OF RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN
UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND OTHER AREAS NOT SUBJECT TO MUNICIPAL
INSPECTIONS
SECTION 3. Subtitle F, Title 16, Property Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 447 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 447. REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
Sec. 447.001. SOLAR PANEL OPTION REQUIRED IN CERTAIN
SUBDIVISIONS. (a) In this section, "solar energy device" means a
system or series of mechanisms designed primarily to provide
heating or cooling or to produce electrical or mechanical power by
collecting and transferring solar-generated energy. The term
includes a mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to
store solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the
production of power.
(b) This chapter applies only to a contract for construction
of a new home in a subdivision that contains more than 50 lots on
which the builder has built or is offering to build new homes.
(c) A builder who enters into a contract to which this
chapter applies shall offer the home buyer an option to install a
solar energy device on the home for heating or cooling or for the
production of power.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a contract for new home construction entered into on or after the
effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.