S.B. No. 877
AN ACT
relating to the inspection of municipal buildings during a declared
disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 214, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 214.220 to read as follows:
Sec. 214.220. INSPECTION DURING DECLARED DISASTER. (a) In
an area of a municipality that is subject to a declaration of
disaster by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, or a
declaration of local disaster under that chapter, a building
inspection for compliance with this subchapter or related municipal
regulations may, while the declaration is in effect, be performed
by a person:
(1) other than:
(A) the owner of the building; or
(B) a person whose work is the subject of the
inspection; and
(2) who is:
(A) certified to inspect buildings by the
International Code Council;
(B) employed as a building inspector by the
municipality in which the building is located;
(C) employed as a building inspector by any
political subdivision, if the municipality in which the building is
located has approved the person to perform inspections during a
disaster; or
(D) an engineer licensed under Chapter 1001,
Occupations Code.
(b) A municipality may not collect an additional inspection
fee related to the inspection of a building performed under
Subsection (a).
(c) A person who performs an inspection under this section
must:
(1) comply with the municipality's building inspection
regulations and policies; and
(2) not later than the 30th day after the date of the
inspection, provide notice to the municipality of the inspection.
(d) The municipality may prescribe a reasonable format for
the notice provided under Subsection (c)(2).
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 877 passed the Senate on
April 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 27, 2021, by the
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 877 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 144,
Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor