LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 7, 2007

TO:
Honorable Helen Giddings, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB338 by Van de Putte (Relating to carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors in certain residential dwellings.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would be known as the Senator Frank Madla Act.

The bill would require each one-family and two-family dwelling to have a working smoke detector installed in the dwelling in accordance with building requirements of the political subdivision.  If the dwelling is out of compliance, any improvement of the dwelling requiring a building permit must include installation of smoke detectors to bring it into compliance.

The bill would require that a dwelling must have a working smoke detector installed in accordance with building requirements of the political subdivision before the owner can transfer ownership of the dwelling.  

 The bill would require the Department of Insurance to prepare and make available information on fire safety and carbon monoxide, which the agency estimates it can accomplish using existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2007. 


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
454 Department of Insurance, 332 Department of Housing and Community Affairs, 370 Residential Construction Commission, 529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff:
JOB, JRO, PP, MB