AN ACT
1-1 relating to certain requirements applicable to the construction of
1-2 affordable housing.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter X, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
1-5 amended by adding Section 2306.514 to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 2306.514. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE FAMILY
1-7 AFFORDABLE HOUSING. (a) If a person is awarded state or federal
1-8 funds by the department to construct single family affordable
1-9 housing for individuals and families of low and very low income,
1-10 the affordable housing identified on the person's funding
1-11 application must be constructed so that:
1-12 (1) at least one entrance door, whether located at the
1-13 front, side, or back of the building:
1-14 (A) is on an accessible route served by a ramp
1-15 or no-step entrance; and
1-16 (B) has at least a standard 36-inch door;
1-17 (2) on the first floor of the building:
1-18 (A) each interior door is at least a standard
1-19 32-inch door, unless the door provides access only to a closet of
1-20 less than 15 square feet in area;
1-21 (B) each hallway has a width of at least 36
1-22 inches and is level, with ramped or beveled changes at each door
1-23 threshold;
1-24 (C) each bathroom wall is reinforced for
2-1 potential installation of grab bars;
2-2 (D) each electrical panel or breaker box, light
2-3 switch, or thermostat is not higher than 48 inches above the floor;
2-4 and
2-5 (E) each electrical plug or other receptacle is
2-6 at least 15 inches above the floor; and
2-7 (3) each breaker box is located inside the building on
2-8 the first floor.
2-9 (b) A person who builds single family affordable housing to
2-10 which this section applies may obtain a waiver from the department
2-11 of the requirement described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) if the cost of
2-12 grading the terrain to meet the requirement is prohibitively
2-13 expensive.
2-14 SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
2-15 to single family affordable housing for which new construction
2-16 begins on or after the effective date of this Act. Affordable
2-17 housing for which new construction begins before the effective date
2-18 of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the construction
2-19 began, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
2-20 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-21 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-22 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-25 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 623 passed the Senate on
May 3, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that the
Senate concurred in House amendments on May 28, 1999, by the
following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 623 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 123,
Nays 21, one present not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor