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Collin County staff warn commissioners of code, third-party review changes in 80th Texas legislative session
Summary
County staff updated the Collin County Commissioners Court on the 80th Texas Legislature’s final days, highlighting rewrites of HB 23, a related SB 1450 effort and the status of HB 19; staff flagged concerns about mandated third‑party engineering reviews and proposed adoption of the International Residential Code.
Mr. Shoffner told the Collin County Commissioners Court that the 80th Texas Legislature is nearing adjournment and that a number of bills affecting county permitting and building-code authority are moving quickly.
“This is known as zombie week,” Mr. Shoffner said, referring to a late-session flurry in which bills and amendments are reattached and reworked as the Legislature approaches deadlines. He said many measures are still in flux and that staff would circulate a chart of upcoming deadlines.
The presentation focused on changes to HB 23 and a separate effort in the Senate under SB 1450. Shoffner said HB 23 has undergone substantial rewrites and that SB 1450 is being used in places to try to restore elements of the earlier HB 23. He described provisions in those bills that would require use of third‑party engineering reviews in some permit processes and flagged other code-related proposals.
“I just wanna call your attention to that part of the bill...they're asking for the international residential code, which is different. And it has a lot more things in that code that are the, junk science,” Shoffner said, adding that some language appears aimed at limiting certain natural-gas appliances and introducing additional regulations such as water-saving devices.
Shoffner said he is concerned that a mandate for outside third‑party engineering reviews could create a market of firms that act as “rubber stamps” and reduce local oversight. He said an alternative approach would be legislation that holds counties and cities accountable when they do not process permits or perform timely reviews, rather than broadly forcing third‑party reviews across the state.
Commissioner Hale asked whether HB 19 had been resurrected or attached to other bills. Shoffner said HB 19 was left in committee and did not get the votes to move out of the House Ways and Means Committee; he said components of the earlier proposal that concerned county staff have not yet been reattached to other bills but cautioned that sponsors might try again.
No formal action or vote on legislative positions was taken by the court during the discussion.
The court’s staff indicated they will circulate more detailed materials to commissioners as deadlines approach and continue to monitor amendments and hearings.
