| TO: | Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB730 by Ritter (relating to residential construction, including certain warranties, building and performance standards, and dispute resolution; providing an administrative penalty. ), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds |
|---|---|
| 2004 | $0 |
| 2005 | $0 |
| 2006 | $0 |
| 2007 | $0 |
| 2008 | $0 |
| Fiscal Year | Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1 |
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $1,495,260 | ($1,495,260) | 26.0 |
| 2005 | $1,855,782 | ($1,855,782) | 39.0 |
| 2006 | $1,855,782 | ($1,855,782) | 39.0 |
| 2007 | $1,855,782 | ($1,855,782) | 39.0 |
| 2008 | $1,855,782 | ($1,855,782) | 39.0 |
The provisions of the bill would create the Texas Residential Construction Commission (RCC) to regulate homebuilders and inspectors. The RCC would meet at least quarterly and employ an executive director and state inspectors. The RCC would adopt rules, but only after a ruling by the Attorney General as to their validity, and adopt fees to cover the cost of operations. It would also establish a task force on mold reduction and remediation to advise the RCC.
The provisions of the bill would apply to certain disputes between a builder and a homeowner related to construction defects. The RCC may charge an application filing fee for an original certificate of registration that could not exceed $500 and a renewal certificate fee of not more than $300. The provisions of the bill allow provisional registration pending a criminal history background check, which expires January 1, 2005. It also allows the RCC to impose a $5,000 administrative penalty on those violating the provisions or rules established by the RCC.
It is assumed fee collection and most of the costs would occur beginning January 1, 2004 when the RCC is required to collect the registration fees as described.
This analysis assumes a total population of 7,500 (3,750 companies and 3,750 individuals) would be regulated. Although the number of builders would change from year to year, this analysis assumes the population of builders would remain the same through fiscal year 2008. According to the Comptroller's Texas Economic Detail, total housing starts (single and multi-family) are projected to be 155,300 in 2004, 154,100 in 2005, 157,900 in 2006, 167,800 in 2007 and 173,500 in 2008. The exclusion of triplexes and quadruplexes from the definition of a home is not anticipated to significantly reduce the number of housing starts.
An estimated 20,000 inspections would be needed in the first year and 30,000 in subsequent years. It is estimated that approximately 18,000 complaints would occur in the first fiscal year and 37,500 in subsequent fiscal years.
While third parties would perform inspections, it is estimated the RCC would need approximately 26 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) in fiscal year 2004 and 39 FTEs in fiscal year 2005. Positions include an Executive Director, a Deputy Executive Director and two Executive Assistants and a General Counsel. It is estimated the RCC would need division Directors to manage the new agency. Personnel would also include customer service representatives, inspectors, licensing analysts, human resource specialists, and a legal assistant. Other positions include an accountant, purchaser and a position for program administration. In addition, it is anticipated the RCC would need hearing examiners to oversee an estimated 400 hearings annually. This analysis assumes approximately three quarters of the costs would occur in fiscal year 2004.
It is assumed the RCC would set the various fees established by the bill to offset the costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.
| Source Agencies: | 116 Sunset Advisory Commission, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
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| LBB Staff: | JK, JO, WP, JRO, RT, DE
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