Texas House Bill HB2266

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 3/4/11
• Out of House Committee: 4/6/11
• Voted on by House: 4/14/11
• Refer: 3/10/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/21/11
• Report Pass: 4/5/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/25/11
• Engrossed: 4/14/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/26/11
• Report Pass: 5/21/11
• Enrolled: 5/27/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to fire code certificates of compliance.

Impact

The enactment of HB2266 is expected to streamline the compliance process for building owners and local authorities. This legislative change will provide clarity on how counties can handle situations where buildings do not fully comply with fire codes. By allowing the issuance of conditional or partial certificates, the bill aims to balance safety regulations with practical considerations for building occupancy, thus promoting economic activity while maintaining a focus on fire safety.

Summary

House Bill 2266 introduces amendments to the Local Government Code, specifically regarding the issuance of fire code certificates of compliance. The bill allows counties to issue final certificates of compliance for buildings that have been inspected and found to meet fire safety standards. Additionally, it introduces the provision for partial certificates of compliance for buildings that do not entirely meet the fire code but are substantially compliant. This aims to facilitate the occupancy of buildings that are partially complete or undergoing phased construction, thereby helping developers manage their projects more effectively.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to benefit building developers and local governments by creating clearer pathways for compliance, there may be concerns regarding fire safety and the adequacy of these partial or conditional certificates. Opponents might argue that allowing occupancy before full compliance could pose risks to safety. The extent to which local governments can enforce these new provisions while ensuring public safety will likely be a topic of discussion. Specific regulations will need to be crafted to ensure that this balance is achieved, and ongoing oversight may be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes.