BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1679 By: Huffines Intergovernmental Relations 4/21/2015 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1679
By: Huffines
Intergovernmental Relations
4/21/2015
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1679
By: Huffines
Intergovernmental Relations
4/21/2015
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The International Building Code is a uniform set of construction and design best practices written by the International Code Council. Chapter 214 of the Local Government Code makes the International Building Code (IBC), as it was written on May 1, 2003, the commercial building code of Texas. Current law also enables local governments to create a process for amending the IBC. S.B. 1679 requires that the procedures adopted by local governments for amending the IBC incorporate a cost-benefit analysis of the change. It also requires that two public hearings be held for each amendment before the amendment may be adopted. This will give business owners and residents of communities an opportunity to review onerous, unnecessary, or costly regulations by political subdivisions. As proposed, S.B. 1679 amends current law relating to certain requirements relating to municipal building codes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 214.216, Local Government Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows: (f) Requires that procedures established under Subsection (c) (authorizing a municipality to establish certain procedures) for adopting local amendments to the International Building Code or any other building code include: (1) the preparation of a cost-benefit analysis of each amendment; and (2) two public hearings on each amendment. (g) Requires that the procedures identified by Subsection (f)(1) and (f)(2) be completed before any building code or building code amendment is adopted. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The International Building Code is a uniform set of construction and design best practices written by the International Code Council. Chapter 214 of the Local Government Code makes the International Building Code (IBC), as it was written on May 1, 2003, the commercial building code of Texas. Current law also enables local governments to create a process for amending the IBC.
S.B. 1679 requires that the procedures adopted by local governments for amending the IBC incorporate a cost-benefit analysis of the change. It also requires that two public hearings be held for each amendment before the amendment may be adopted. This will give business owners and residents of communities an opportunity to review onerous, unnecessary, or costly regulations by political subdivisions.
As proposed, S.B. 1679 amends current law relating to certain requirements relating to municipal building codes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 214.216, Local Government Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows:
(f) Requires that procedures established under Subsection (c) (authorizing a municipality to establish certain procedures) for adopting local amendments to the International Building Code or any other building code include:
(1) the preparation of a cost-benefit analysis of each amendment; and
(2) two public hearings on each amendment.
(g) Requires that the procedures identified by Subsection (f)(1) and (f)(2) be completed before any building code or building code amendment is adopted.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.