Relating to required water pressure boosters for certain housing developments that receive an allocation of low income housing tax credits.
Summary
SB 731 would require the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to mandate water pressure boosters in certain multifamily housing developments that receive low-income housing tax credits. The requirement applies only to developments reserved for residents age 55 and older, and only to buildings four stories or higher. The booster must be capable of supplying water to every floor during an emergency, and the department is authorized to adopt rules to carry out the requirement.
The bill also creates a phased compliance schedule. Newer covered developments completed on or after January 1, 2026, must comply immediately, while developments completed on or before December 31, 2025, are given until January 1, 2030, to meet the standard. By March 1, 2030, the department must report to the legislature on overall compliance, identify any noncompliant developments, and explain the reasons for noncompliance and any enforcement actions taken.
Impact
The bill would amend the Government Code by adding a new section to Chapter 2306 governing low-income housing tax credit developments. It would impose a new state-level building and safety-related condition on a narrow category of affordable housing projects, affecting developers, property owners, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The measure would not broadly regulate all multifamily housing, but it would add an operational requirement for qualifying senior housing developments and create a reporting obligation for the agency.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests mixed sentiment. The bill was reported adversely from committee but with a favorable committee substitute, indicating that some members supported the concept while others had reservations about the original or revised language. The committee vote was close, 5 yeas to 4 nays, which points to a divided view rather than broad consensus. No floor debate or transcript excerpts are provided, so the record mainly shows cautious support alongside meaningful opposition.
Contention
The likely points of contention are the cost, feasibility, and necessity of requiring water pressure boosters in covered developments, especially for existing buildings that are given a delayed compliance deadline. Opponents may have been concerned about added construction or retrofit expenses for affordable housing providers and the administrative burden on the housing agency. Supporters likely viewed the requirement as a safety and emergency preparedness measure for older adults living in taller buildings. The narrow scope of the bill—limited to low-income housing tax credit developments for residents 55 and older—also suggests debate over whether the mandate is appropriately targeted or too prescriptive.
Relating to a set-aside of low income housing tax credits for at-risk housing developments and to the allocation of housing tax credits to those developments and certain other developments.