Colonias bill OK'd in Texas House

by Zahira Torres \ Austin Bureau
Posted: 05/07/2011 12:00:00 AM MDT

AUSTIN -- A bill that allows counties to withhold utility hookups from buildings that are not up to code passed the Texas House.

The bill by state Rep. Marisa Marquez, D-El Paso, follows up on legislation that she and former state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh passed last session, which regulated construction of homes in colonias throughout Texas.

Currently, new residential construction in unincorporated areas of El Paso County is subject to building code standards that will be monitored and enforced by county government.

The bill adds a provision that requires homebuilders in colonias to provide a certificate of compliance to participating counties as proof that the home cleared inspection.

Counties can choose not to implement the bill.

"I'm very proud that El Paso is leading the way to making this type of requirement that combats substandard housing available across the state," Marquez said.

"This is not an issue that just affects the border."

Supporters say the bill is simply a way to continue efforts that prevent the growth of substandard housing in the state and along the border and that it would apply only in counties that choose to adopt the measure.

Opponents were initially against allowing counties to implement a fee of up to $25 for residential building inspections and said residents remodeling their own homes on farms could get caught up in the enforcement.

Amendments were added to remove the fee and exempted agricultural land and properties where the home was the builder's primary residence. The bill passed on a 95-45 vote.
State Sen. Jose RodrÃ*guez has filed a similar bill in the Senate.

Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorres@elpasotimes.com; 512-479-6606.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_18012124