Bill Caption

Relating to the inspection of municipal buildings during a declared disaster.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 877 would require cities to accept independent third-party inspections by qualified professionals (other than a professional who is the owner of the building or whose work is the subject of the inspection) during a declared disaster.

Qualified individuals would include a person who is: certified to inspect buildings by the International Code Council, employed as a building inspector by the municipality in which the building is located, employed as a building inspector by any political subdivision, if the municipality in which the building is located has approved the person to perform inspections during a disaster, or a licensed engineer.

The bill would also prohibit a municipality from collecting an additional inspection fee related to the inspection of a building performed under the provisions of this bill. A person who performs an inspection under the provisions of this bill must, to the extent practicable, comply with the municipality's building inspection regulations and policies and provide notice to the municipality of the inspection in a format prescribed by the municipality. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 877 because it promotes the liberty principles of limited government and free markets by improving the government's ability to carry out its lawful duties without infringing on the rights of its citizens. The bill would help prevent a backlog of past-due building inspections during a declared disaster. This, in turn, would prevent delays in the building permitting process, which would help keep the economy going.