| 1 | 1 | | 89R15999 CS-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Morales of Harris H.B. No. 5505 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | |
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| 6 | 6 | | |
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| 7 | 7 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 8 | 8 | | AN ACT |
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| 9 | 9 | | relating to requirements for backup electric generator connections |
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| 10 | 10 | | for new multiunit complexes in certain municipalities; providing |
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| 11 | 11 | | civil penalties. |
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| 12 | 12 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 13 | 13 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 214, Local Government |
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| 14 | 14 | | Code, is amended by adding Section 214.222 to read as follows: |
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| 15 | 15 | | Sec. 214.222. BACKUP ELECTRIC GENERATOR CONNECTIONS FOR |
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| 16 | 16 | | MULTIUNIT COMPLEXES IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES. (a) In this |
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| 17 | 17 | | section, "multiunit complex" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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| 18 | 18 | | 92.151, Property Code. |
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| 19 | 19 | | (b) This section applies only to a municipality with a |
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| 20 | 20 | | population of two million or more. |
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| 21 | 21 | | (c) The governing body of a municipality by ordinance shall |
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| 22 | 22 | | incorporate into its municipal building code a requirement that the |
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| 23 | 23 | | construction of a new multiunit complex be compatible with the |
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| 24 | 24 | | connection of a backup electric generator. The connection must: |
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| 25 | 25 | | (1) allow for a generator to be connected to the main |
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| 26 | 26 | | electrical panel of the complex by a manual or automatic transfer |
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| 27 | 27 | | switch; |
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| 28 | 28 | | (2) be compatible with a generator that is capable of |
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| 29 | 29 | | operating essential services for the complex for a minimum of 96 |
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| 30 | 30 | | hours; |
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| 31 | 31 | | (3) include a statement close to the connection of the |
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| 32 | 32 | | connection's voltage, capacity, and compatible plugs; and |
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| 33 | 33 | | (4) comply with applicable electrical and fire safety |
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| 34 | 34 | | standards. |
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| 35 | 35 | | (d) An ordinance adopted under this section must require the |
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| 36 | 36 | | inspection of a multiunit complex to ensure compliance with the |
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| 37 | 37 | | building code provisions adopted under this section. |
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| 38 | 38 | | (e) A person who violates an ordinance adopted under this |
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| 39 | 39 | | section is liable to the municipality for a civil penalty in an |
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| 40 | 40 | | amount not to exceed $50,000. |
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| 41 | 41 | | (f) A person assessed a civil penalty under Subsection (e) |
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| 42 | 42 | | must make any repairs and improvements necessary to bring the |
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| 43 | 43 | | property into compliance not later than the first anniversary of |
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| 44 | 44 | | the date the civil penalty is assessed. A person who violates this |
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| 45 | 45 | | subsection is liable for another civil penalty under Subsection (e) |
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| 46 | 46 | | for each year the person violates this subsection. |
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| 47 | 47 | | (g) A municipality may grant an exception to an ordinance |
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| 48 | 48 | | adopted under this section for a new multiunit complex that has a |
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| 49 | 49 | | technical limitation that prevents compliance with this section. |
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| 50 | 50 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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