SRC-PNG S.B. 633 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 633
76R4913 SMJ-FBy: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
3/30/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Local Government Code only provides for initial fire code
inspections of commercial establishments and public buildings located in
the unincorporated area of the county.  As a result, commercial and public
buildings may comply with fire code standards at the initial fire
inspection, but may fail to comply after that initial inspection.  This
bill would authorize subsequent inspections to verify that the commercial
and public building is in compliance with the fire code, and would extend
the application of the fire code to all buildings that produce income,
including single-unit and multi-unit rental property.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 633 authorizes subsequent inspections to verify that a
commercial and public building is in compliance with the fire code, and
extends the application of the fire code to all buildings that produce
income, including single-unit and multi-unit rental property.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 235.002(a), Local Government Code, to provide
that the fire code applies to certain buildings in an unincorporated area
of the county, including a commercial establishment, including an office
building or manufacturing facility, and a building that produces income,
including a single-unit or multi-unit rental property.  Makes conforming
changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 235.004, Local Government Code, to require the
county to periodically inspect a building subject to this chapter to
determine whether the building complies with the fire code.  Requires the
commissioners court by order to establish the interval between initial and
subsequent inspections.  Requires the owner of the building to request in
writing by a certain date that the county conduct an initial inspection of
the building for fire code compliance. Authorizes a building inspector to
enter a building at a reasonable time and perform a subsequent inspection
following an interval prescribed by an order issued under this section.
Requires the certificate of compliance to be valid until the next
inspection conducted under this section.  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.