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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the adoption of county and municipal building codes for |
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the insulation and protection of piping in new residential |
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construction. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 250.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 250.011. RESIDENTIAL PIPE INSULATION. (a) In |
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accordance with Subchapter G, Chapter 214, a municipality shall |
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adopt the building code regulations described by this section. |
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(b) A county to which Subchapter F, Chapter 233, applies |
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shall in accordance with that subchapter adopt the building code |
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regulations described by this section. |
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(c) A building code regulation adopted under this section |
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must: |
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(1) apply to new residential construction beginning on |
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or after January 1, 2022; and |
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(2) require a pipe to be: |
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(A) insulated to an R-value of not less than 3 if |
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the pipe is: |
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(i) associated with a mechanical system; |
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and |
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(ii) designed to carry a fluid at a |
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temperature of not less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit and not more than |
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105 degrees Fahrenheit; and |
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(B) protected from sunlight, moisture, and wind |
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with appropriate shielding materials not including adhesive tape if |
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the pipe is: |
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(i) described by Paragraph (A); and |
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(ii) exposed to outside weather conditions. |
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(d) In addition to the requirements under Subsection (c), |
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the regulations must require a pipe associated with service hot |
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water to be insulated to an R-value of not less than 3 if the pipe: |
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(1) is three-fourths inch or greater in diameter; or |
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(2) leads to a kitchen outlet, a distribution |
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manifold, or multiple dwelling units. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, a municipality or |
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county to which this Act applies shall take the necessary actions to |
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implement Section 250.011, Local Government Code, as added by this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |