88R10842 SHH-F
 
  By: Bell of Montgomery H.B. No. 2689
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the adoption of a certain plumbing code by the Texas
  State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1301.255, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.255.  ADOPTION OF PLUMBING [CODES] CODE. (a)  The
  board shall adopt [the following plumbing codes, as those codes
  existed on May 31, 2001:
               [(1)  the Uniform Plumbing Code, as published by the
  International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials;
  and
               [(2)]  the 2015 edition of the International Plumbing
  Code, as published by the International Code Council.
         (b)  The board by rule may adopt a later edition [editions]
  of the plumbing code [codes] listed in Subsection (a).
         (c)  Plumbing installed in an area not otherwise subject to
  regulation under this chapter by a person licensed under this
  chapter must be installed in accordance with a plumbing code
  adopted by the board under Subsection (a) or (b).
         (d)  In adopting a code for the design, installation, and
  maintenance of a plumbing system under this section, a municipality
  or an owner of a public water system may amend any provisions of the
  code to conform to local concerns that do not substantially vary
  from board rules or other rules of this state.
         (e)  Plumbing installed in compliance with a code adopted
  under Subsection (a), (b), or (d) must be inspected by a plumbing
  inspector. To perform the inspection, the political subdivision
  may contract with any plumbing inspector or qualified plumbing
  inspection business, as determined by the political subdivision,
  that is paid directly by the political subdivision.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas State
  Board of Plumbing Examiners shall adopt rules to implement Section
  1301.255, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.