BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3526
88R22090 KBB-D	By: Raymond (Springer)
	Local Government
	5/5/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, municipalities can classify a solar pergola as a permanent structure. Some jurisdictions require solar pergolas to be built within a certain distance of a home, or be attached to the home. This creates an issue where the building code can hinder the optimal positioning of a solar pergola for energy production. This bill creates an exception for solar pergolas from a municipal building code.

H.B. 3526 amends current law relating to the application of a municipal building code to the construction of a solar pergola.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter G, Chapter 214, Local Government Code, by adding Section 214.221, as follows:

Sec. 214.221. REGULATION OF SOLAR PERGOLAS. Prohibits a municipality from applying a municipal building code to the construction of a solar pergola.

SECTION 2.� Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.