82R7944 JAM-F
 
  By: Guillen H.B. No. 1448
 
 
 
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.  Section 1202.252(a), 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.