Building Codes Assistance Project

[Updated June 2, 2009]

On March 9, a bill was introduced in the Texas State Legislature that would adopt the energy efficiency provisions of the 2009 IRC for single-family homes and the 2009 IECC for all other residential, commerical, and industrial construction.  These codes would be effective January 1, 2012.

HB 2783 would also establish the authority with the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), upon recommendation by the Texas A&M Energy Systems Laboratory, to update the state code to subsequent editions of the IRC and IECC.  Recommendations must come at least six months after publication of the new editions, and any effective date of the new state codes must be at least nine months after adoption by SECO.

SECO shall establish procedures for public comment as well as reviewing proposed local amendments , which may not be less stringent than the state code.

STATUS: On May 14, the bill passed the House by a 76-55 margin and has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. On May 21, the bill was heard in committee and approved for passage 9-0. 

On June 1, the last eligible day of this legislative session, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (who as President of the Senate is empowered to decide all parliamentary questions) refused to recognize the bill's authors to move it forward due to political differences with the Speaker of the House. This bill had been approved in the House and Senate (albeit slightly different versions) with both Republican and Democratic sponsors. As such, the state's codes (currently, the 2001 supplement to the 2000 IECC) remain behind the national model codes.

More information on HB 2783: Bill Home Page | Text (Senate amendments) 

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An omnibus energy bill originating in the Texas Senate contains similar provisions for building energy efficiency.  SB 16 (Article 6, beginning page 33) would adopt the energy efficiency provisions of the 2009 IRC for single-family homes and duplexes and the 2009 IECC for all other residential, commerical, and industrial construction. These codes would be effective January 1, 2012.

STATUS: As of May 19, SB 16 has passed the Senate (on April 14) and been reported favorably for passage by the House Committee on Environmental Regulation.

More information on SB 16: Bill Home | Text (engrossed)

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BCAP Texas Code Status Page