By: Carona S.B. No. 892
(Guillen)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the approval of designs, plans, and specifications of
industrialized housing and buildings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1202.155, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b), the commission
by rule may adopt another method of indicating that the designs,
plans, and specifications of industrialized housing and buildings
satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a)(1) and are approved in
accordance with Subsection (a)(2) if the study conducted under
Section 1202.1551 recommends the method.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 1202, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 1202.1551 to read as follows:
Sec. 1202.1551. STUDY CONCERNING APPROVAL OF DESIGNS,
PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS. (a) The council shall conduct a study
to:
(1) evaluate the current method of indicating approval
of designs, plans, and specifications of industrialized housing and
buildings under Sections 1202.155(a) and (b); and
(2) identify and evaluate methods of indicating
approval of designs, plans, and specifications of industrialized
housing and buildings that are alternatives to the method described
by Subdivision (1).
(b) The study may recommend for adoption by the commission
an alternative method identified under Subsection (a)(2) if the
council determines that the method would:
(1) ensure that the designs, plans, and specifications
of industrialized housing and buildings:
(A) meet or exceed the code standards and
requirements under council interpretations and instructions; and
(B) are approved by the department or an approved
design review agency; and
(2) be more efficient and cost-effective for the
department or approved design review agencies.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2014.
SECTION 3. Subsection (a), Section 1202.252, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) A municipality that regulates the on-site construction
or installation of industrialized housing and buildings may:
(1) require and review, for compliance with mandatory
building codes, a complete set of designs, plans, and
specifications approved by the council [bearing the council's stamp
of approval] for each installation of industrialized housing or
buildings in the municipality;
(2) require that all applicable local permits and
licenses be obtained before construction begins on a building site;
(3) require, in accordance with commission rules, that
all modules or modular components bear an approved decal or
insignia indicating inspection by the department; and
(4) establish procedures for the inspection of:
(A) the erection and installation of
industrialized housing or buildings to be located in the
municipality, to ensure compliance with mandatory building codes
and commission rules; and
(B) all foundation and other on-site
construction, to ensure compliance with approved designs, plans,
and specifications.
SECTION 4. Not later than September 1, 2012, the Texas
Industrialized Building Code Council shall complete the study
required by Section 1202.1551, Occupations Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.