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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of the Texas Residential Construction |
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Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 401.003(a) and (c), Property Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) In this title, "builder" means any business entity or |
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other person that [individual who], for a fixed price, commission, |
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fee, wage, or other compensation, constructs or supervises or |
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manages the construction of: |
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(1) a new home; |
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(2) a material improvement to a home, other than an |
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improvement solely to replace or repair a roof of an existing home; |
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or |
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(3) an improvement to the interior of an existing home |
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when the cost of the work exceeds $20,000. |
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(c) The term does not include any business entity or |
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individual who has been issued a license by this state or a state |
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[an] agency [or political subdivision of this state] to practice a |
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trade or profession related to or affiliated with residential |
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construction if the work being done by the entity or individual to |
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the home is solely for the purpose for which the license was issued. |
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SECTION 2. Section 401.005, Property Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) An individual who builds a home or a material |
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improvement to a home with the intent to sell the home immediately |
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following completion of the building or remodeling and does not |
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live in the home for at least one year following completion of the |
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building or remodeling is liable as a builder under the warranty |
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obligation created by this title for work completed by the |
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individual. |
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SECTION 3. Chapter 401, Property Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 401.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 401.007. INJUNCTION. (a) The commission acting |
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through the executive director may petition the district court for |
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injunctive relief as provided by this section. If the district |
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court finds that a person is violating this chapter, the district |
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court may by injunction: |
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(1) prohibit the person from continuing the violation; |
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or |
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(2) grant any other injunctive relief warranted by the |
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facts. |
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(b) The attorney general shall institute and conduct a suit |
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authorized by this section at the request of the commission, acting |
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through the executive director, and in the name of the state. |
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(c) The suit for injunctive relief must be brought in Travis |
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County. |
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SECTION 4. Section 406.004(b), Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A person may not be a member of the commission and may |
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not be a commission employee employed in a "bona fide executive, |
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administrative, or professional capacity," as that phrase is used |
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for purposes of establishing an exemption to the overtime |
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provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 |
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U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.) and its subsequent amendments, if: |
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(1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid |
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consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of residential |
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construction; or |
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(2) the person's spouse is an officer, [a] manager, or |
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paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of |
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residential construction. |
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SECTION 5. Section 408.002, Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 408.002. FEES. (a) The commission shall adopt fees |
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as required by this title in amounts that are reasonable and |
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necessary to provide sufficient revenue to cover the costs of |
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administering this title. |
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(b) The commission may charge a late fee for late payment of |
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any fee due to the commission. The late fee may be any amount that |
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does not exceed the amount of the fee due. |
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SECTION 6. Section 408.003, Property Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) The commission may distribute to consumers |
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informational materials and promotional items that contain |
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commission contact details and outreach information. |
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SECTION 7. Chapter 408, Property Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 408.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 408.005. COLLECTION OF AMOUNTS DUE. The commission |
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may seek reimbursement of any amounts due to the commission and |
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restitution for any dishonored payment instrument presented for |
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payment to the commission. |
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SECTION 8. Section 416.004, Property Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) The commission shall charge and collect: |
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(1) a filing fee for an application for an original |
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certificate of registration that does not exceed $500; [and] |
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(2) a fee for renewal of a certificate of registration |
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that does not exceed $300; and |
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(3) a late fee that does not exceed the amount of the |
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fee due if payment of a registration application or renewal fee due |
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under this title is late. |
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(c) All fees paid to the commission under this section are |
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nonrefundable. |
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SECTION 9. Section 416.008(d), Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) The hearing officer may grant a motion for continuance |
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of the hearing on the request of the commission or the applicant |
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[may be continued from time to time with the consent of the
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applicant]. |
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SECTION 10. Section 416.011(d), Property Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(d) The certification issued by the commission as a "Texas |
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Star Builder" is valid for at most one year and renewable on a date |
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to be determined at the commission's discretion [shall be for the
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same period of time as the builder's registration under this
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chapter]. |
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SECTION 11. Section 417.003, Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 417.003. FEES. (a) The commission shall charge and |
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collect: |
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(1) a filing fee for an application for certification |
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under this chapter that does not exceed $100; [and] |
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(2) a fee for renewal of a certification under this |
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chapter that does not exceed $50; and |
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(3) a late fee that does not exceed the amount of the |
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fee due if payment of a registration or application fee due under |
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this title is late. |
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(b) All fees paid to the commission under this section are |
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nonrefundable. |
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SECTION 12. Sections 418.001 and 418.002, Property Code, |
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are amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.001. GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION. (a) A |
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person, including a builder or a person who is designated as a |
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builder's agent under Section 416.006 and who owns or controls a |
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majority ownership interest in the builder, is subject to |
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disciplinary action under this chapter for: |
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(1) fraud or deceit in obtaining a registration or |
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certification under this subtitle; |
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(2) misappropriation of trust funds in the practice of |
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residential construction; |
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(3) naming false consideration in a contract to sell a |
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new home or in a construction contract; |
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(4) discriminating on the basis of race, color, |
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religion, sex, national origin, or ancestry; |
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(5) publishing a false or misleading advertisement; |
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(6) failure to honor, within a reasonable time, a |
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check issued to the commission, or any other instrument of payment, |
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including a credit or debit card or electronic fund transfer, after |
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the commission has sent by certified mail a request for payment to |
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the person's last known business address, according to commission |
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records; |
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(7) failure to pay an administrative penalty assessed |
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by the commission under Chapter 419 or a fee due under Chapter 426; |
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(8) nonpayment of a final nonappealable judgment |
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arising from a construction defect or other transaction between the |
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person and a homeowner; |
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(9) failure to register a home as required by Section |
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426.003; |
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(10) failure to remit the fee for registration of a |
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home under Section 426.003; [or] |
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(11) failure to reimburse a homeowner the amount |
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ordered by the commission as provided by [in] Section 428.004(d); |
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(12) engaging in statutory or common law fraud or |
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misappropriation of funds, as determined by the commission after a |
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hearing under Section 418.003; |
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(13) failure to participate in the state-sponsored |
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inspection and dispute resolution process if required by this |
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title; |
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(14) failure to register as a builder as required |
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under Chapter 416; |
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(15) continuous or repeated failure to comply with the |
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statutory warranties and building performance standards required |
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by this title; or |
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(16) otherwise violating this title or a commission |
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rule adopted under this title. |
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(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a)(12), the commission |
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may not revoke a registration or certification or impose an |
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administrative penalty unless the determination of statutory or |
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common law fraud or misappropriation of funds has been made in a |
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final nonappealable judgment by a court. |
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Sec. 418.002. DISCIPLINARY POWERS OF COMMISSION. On a |
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determination that a ground for disciplinary action under Section |
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418.001 exists, the commission may: |
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(1) revoke or suspend a registration or certification; |
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(2) probate the suspension of a registration or |
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certification; [or] |
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(3) formally or informally reprimand a registered or |
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certified person; or |
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(4) impose an administrative penalty under Chapter |
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419. |
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SECTION 13. Chapter 418, Property Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 418.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.005. JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY OF BUILDER AND |
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AGENT. (a) The commission may simultaneously take administrative |
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action under this chapter against: |
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(1) a builder; and |
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(2) a builder's agent who: |
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(A) is designated as the builder's agent under |
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Section 416.006; and |
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(B) owns or controls a majority ownership |
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interest in the builder. |
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(b) A builder and a builder's agent who is designated under |
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Section 416.006 and owns or controls a majority ownership interest |
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in the builder are jointly and severally liable for any amounts due |
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to the commission under this title. |
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SECTION 14. Section 419.001, Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 419.001. IMPOSITION OF ADMINISTRATIVE |
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PENALTY. (a) The [In a contested case involving disciplinary
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action, the] commission may[, as part of the commission's order,] |
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impose an administrative penalty on a [registered or certified] |
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person who violates this title or a rule adopted or order issued by |
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the commission under this title. |
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(b) To impose an administrative penalty for failure to |
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comply with statutory warranties or building and performance |
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standards, the commission must show at a hearing that the |
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violations were repeated or continuous. |
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SECTION 15. Section 426.003(b), Property Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) A builder who enters into a transaction governed by this |
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title, other than the transfer of title of a new home from the |
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builder to the seller, shall register the home involved in the |
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transaction with the commission. The registration must: |
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(1) include the information required by the commission |
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by rule; |
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(2) be accompanied by the fee required by Subsection |
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(c); and |
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(3) be delivered to the commission not later than the |
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15th day after the earlier of: |
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(A) the date of the substantial completion of the |
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construction of the home by [agreement that describes the
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transaction between the homeowner and] the builder; [or] |
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(B) the date the home is occupied; or |
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(C) the date of issuance of a certificate of |
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occupancy or a certificate of completion [the commencement of the
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work on the home]. |
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SECTION 16. Section 426.004, Property Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) The commission may reimburse an inspector for travel |
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expenses incurred to complete an inspection regardless of whether |
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the expenses exceed the amount collected under this section. |
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SECTION 17. Section 428.001(g), Property Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(g) The commission by rule shall establish a standard form |
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for submitting a request under this section [and provide a means to
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submit a request electronically]. |
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SECTION 18. Sections 428.004(a) and (d), Property Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) If the dispute involves workmanship and materials in the |
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home of a nonstructural matter, the third-party inspector shall |
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issue a recommendation not later than the 30th [15th] day after the |
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date the third-party inspector receives the appointment from the |
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commission. |
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(d) Except as provided by this subsection, the third-party |
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inspector's recommendation may not include payment of any monetary |
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consideration. If the inspector finds for the party who submitted |
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the request, the commission may order the other party to reimburse |
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all or part of the fees and inspection expenses paid by the |
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requestor under Section 426.004. The commission may not require a |
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builder to reimburse fees or inspection expenses under this |
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subsection if, before the inspection, the builder made or offered |
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to make repairs substantially equivalent to those required by the |
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findings of the final report confirming the defect requiring |
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repair. |
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SECTION 19. Section 430.001(f), Property Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(f) Except as provided by a written agreement between the |
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builder, developer, or marketing company and the initial homeowner, |
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a warranty period adopted under this section for a new home begins |
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on the earlier of the date of: |
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(1) occupancy; or |
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(2) transfer of title from the builder, developer, or |
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marketing company to the initial homeowner. |
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SECTION 20. Section 430.005, Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 430.005. ALTERNATIVE STANDARDS FOR CERTAIN |
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CONSTRUCTION. (a) For the purpose of this title, the only |
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statutory warranty and building and performance standards that |
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apply to residential construction in unincorporated areas of |
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counties that are considered economically distressed areas as |
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defined by Section 15.001(11) of the Water Code and located within |
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50 miles of an international border are the standards established |
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for colonial housing programs administered by the Texas Department |
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of Housing and Community Affairs, unless a county commissioners |
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court has adopted other building and performance standards |
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authorized by statute. |
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(b) This section does not exempt a builder in an area |
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described by Subsection (a) from the registration requirements |
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imposed by this title, including the requirements of Sections |
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416.001 and 426.003. |
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(c) An allegation of a postconstruction defect in a |
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construction project in an area described by Subsection (a) is |
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subject to the state-sponsored inspection and dispute resolution |
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process described by this subtitle. |
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SECTION 21. Section 430.006, Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 430.006. STATUTORY WARRANTIES EXCLUSIVE. The |
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warranties established under this chapter supersede all implied |
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warranties. The only warranties that exist for residential |
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construction or residential improvements are: |
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(1) warranties created by this chapter; |
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(2) warranties created [or] by other statutes |
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expressly referring to residential construction or residential |
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improvements; |
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(3) [, or] any express, written warranty acknowledged |
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by the homeowner and the builder; and |
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(4) warranties that apply to an area described by |
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Section 430.005(a) as described by that section. |
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SECTION 22. Subchapter Z, Chapter 214, Local Government |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 214.906 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 214.906. VERIFICATION OF BUILDER REGISTRATION. A |
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municipality may not issue a building permit to a builder, as |
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defined by Section 401.003, Property Code, for construction |
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described by Section 401.003(a), Property Code, unless the |
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municipality has determined that the builder is registered with the |
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Texas Residential Construction Commission under Chapter 416, |
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Property Code. |
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SECTION 23. (a) This Act applies only to the following |
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that are filed on or after the effective date of this Act: |
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(1) an application for a building permit or |
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certification as a builder or a Texas Star Builder; or |
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(2) a request for state-sponsored inspection and |
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dispute resolution. |
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(b) An application for a building permit or for |
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certification as a builder or a Texas Star Builder or a request for |
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state-sponsored inspection and dispute resolution that was filed |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it |
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existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 24. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |