Texas Ordinance

Texas Ordinance

S.B. No. 623

AN ACT relating to certain requirements applicable to the construction of affordable housing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter X, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2306.514 to read as follows:

Sec. 2306.514. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE FAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

(a) If a person is awarded state or federal funds by the department to construct single family affordable housing for individuals and families of low and very low income, the affordable housing identified on the person's funding application must be constructed so that:

(1) at least one entrance door, whether located at the front, side, or back of the building:

(A) is on an accessible route served by a ramp or no-step entrance; and

(2) on the first floor of the building:

(A) each interior door is at least a standard 32-inch door, unless the door provides access only to a closet of less than 15 square feet in area;

(B) each hallway has a width of at least 36 inches and is level, with ramped or beveled changes at each door threshold;

(C) each bathroom wall is reinforced for potential installation of grab bars;

(D) each electrical panel or breaker box, light switch, or thermostat is not higher than 48 inches above the floor; and

(E) each electrical plug or other receptacle is at least 15 inches above the floor; and

(3) each breaker box is located inside the building on the first floor.

(b) A person who builds single family affordable housing to which this section applies may obtain a waiver from the department of the requirement described by Subsection (a)(1)(A) if the cost of grading the terrain to meet the requirement is prohibitively expensive.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to single family affordable housing for which new construction begins on or after the effective date of this Act. Affordable housing for which new construction begins before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the construction began, and the former law is continued in effect forthat purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an emergency and an imperative public necessity that the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

_______________________________
President of the Senate _______________________________
Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 623 passed the Senate on May 3, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 28, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 623 passed the House, with amendments, on May 26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 123, Nays 21, one present not voting.

_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor

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