HB4016 - Relating to prohibiting the use of electric resistance as a primary heat source in certain residential buildings.

  89R9869 CMO-D     By: Anchía H.B. No. 4016       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to prohibiting the use of electric resistance as a primary   heat source in certain residential buildings.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by adding Section 388.0045 to read as follows:           Sec.   388.0045.     USE OF ELECTRIC RESISTANCE AS PRIMARY   HEATING SOURCE PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS. (a)   This section applies only to residential buildings with a dwelling   area greater than 500 square feet.           (b)     Notwithstanding any requirement contained in an energy   code adopted under Section 388.003(a) or (b), or a local amendment   adopted under Section 388.003(d), and except as provided by   Subsection (c), the primary heat source for a dwelling unit may not   be electric resistance heating.           (c)     This section does not apply to a dwelling unit that is   cooled using chilled water.          SECTION 2.  (a)  Section 388.0045, Health and Safety Code, as   added by this Act, applies only to residential building   construction, remodeling, alteration, enlargement, or repair that   begins under an agreement made on or after January 1, 2026, or that   begins, in the absence of an agreement, on or after that date.     Residential building construction, remodeling, alteration,   enlargement, or repair that begins under an agreement made before   January 1, 2026, or that begins, in the absence of an agreement,   before that date is governed by the law in effect when the agreement   was made or the activity began, as appropriate, and that law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          (b)  Not later than December 1, 2025, municipalities shall   establish rules and take other necessary actions to implement   Section 388.0045, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.