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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the inspection of municipal buildings during a declared |
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disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 214, Local Government |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 214.220 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 214.220. INSPECTION DURING DECLARED DISASTER. (a) In |
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an area of a municipality that is subject to a declaration of |
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disaster by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, or a |
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declaration of local disaster under that chapter, a building |
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inspection for compliance with this subchapter or related municipal |
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regulations may, while the declaration is in effect, be performed |
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by a person: |
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(1) other than: |
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(A) the owner of the building; or |
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(B) a person whose work is the subject of the |
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inspection; and |
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(2) who is: |
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(A) certified to inspect buildings by the |
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International Code Council; |
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(B) employed as a building inspector by the |
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municipality in which the building is located; |
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(C) employed as a building inspector by any |
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political subdivision, if the municipality in which the building is |
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located has approved the person to perform inspections during a |
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disaster; or |
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(D) an engineer licensed under Chapter 1001, |
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Occupations Code. |
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(b) A municipality may not collect an inspection fee related |
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to the inspection of a building performed under Subsection (a). |
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(c) A person who performs an inspection under this section |
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must: |
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(1) to the extent practicable, comply with the |
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municipality's building inspection regulations and policies; and |
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(2) not later than the 30th day after the date of the |
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inspection, provide notice to the municipality of the inspection in |
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a format prescribed by the municipality. |
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SECTION 2. 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. |