88R13953 MZM-D     By: Thierry H.B. No. 3153       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the adoption of county and municipal building codes for   the insulation and protection of piping in new residential   construction.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 250, Local Government Code, is amended   by adding Section 250.014 to read as follows:          Sec. 250.014.  RESIDENTIAL PIPE INSULATION. (a) In   accordance with Subchapter G, Chapter 214, a municipality shall   adopt the building code regulations described by this section.          (b)  A county to which Subchapter F, Chapter 233, applies   shall in accordance with that subchapter adopt the building code   regulations described by this section.           (c)  A building code regulation adopted under this section   must:                (1)  apply to new residential construction beginning on   or after January 1, 2024; and                (2)  require a pipe to be:                      (A)  insulated to an R-value of not less than 3 if   the pipe is:                            (i)  associated with a mechanical system;   and                            (ii)  designed to carry a fluid at a   temperature of not less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit and not more than   105 degrees Fahrenheit; and                      (B)  protected from sunlight, moisture, and wind   with appropriate shielding materials not including adhesive tape if   the pipe is:                            (i)  described by Paragraph (A); and                            (ii)  exposed to outside weather conditions.          (d)  In addition to the requirements under Subsection (c),   the regulations must require a pipe associated with service hot   water to be insulated to an R-value of not less than 3 if the pipe:                (1)  is three-fourths inch or greater in diameter; or                (2)  leads to a kitchen outlet, a distribution   manifold, or multiple dwelling units.          SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2024, a municipality or   county to which this Act applies shall take the necessary actions to   implement Section 250.014, Local Government Code, as added by this   Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2023.