SB 2102
Campbell’s R-20 Attic Shortcut Overrides The Energy Code
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
Carve-out
THE TEXT
…“sealed with air impermeable insulation to an R-value of at least:”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The general-sounding caption about energy standards delivers a compliance shortcut that overrides the adopted energy code, and it works only for attics insulated with one product class, air impermeable insulation. That favors the makers and installers of that insulation type over other methods.
Carve-outInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to certain energy efficiency performance standards for residential construction.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Only “air impermeable insulation” qualifies. Hit R-20 or R-26, and cities can’t ask for more.
The bill sets an alternative way for unvented attics and enclosed rafter assemblies in homes to pass the energy code's insulation rules. A local building official must treat the attic as compliant if it is sealed with air impermeable insulation to at least R-20 in climate zones 2 and 3, or R-26 in zone 4, and the house meets air-tightness, ventilation, rafter-wrap and in-envelope equipment conditions. Builders get a path around whatever the adopted state or local energy code requires for those attics, and cities cannot hold them to a stricter insulation number when these conditions are met.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 7, 2025 and referred to the Senate Business & Commerce committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2102 · 2025-03-07
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to certain energy efficiency performance standards for residential construction.
WHAT IT DOES
Only “air impermeable insulation” qualifies. Hit R-20 or R-26, and cities can’t ask for more.
The bill sets an alternative way for unvented attics and enclosed rafter assemblies in homes to pass the energy code's insulation rules. A local building official must treat the attic as compliant if it is sealed with air impermeable insulation to at least R-20 in climate zones 2 and 3, or R-26 in zone 4, and the house meets air-tightness, ventilation, rafter-wrap and in-envelope equipment conditions. Builders get a path around whatever the adopted state or local energy code requires for those attics, and cities cannot hold them to a stricter insulation number when these conditions are met.
CHARGES
[x] CARVE-OUTanalysis confidence 50%
THE TEXT
…“sealed with air impermeable insulation to an R-value of at least:”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The general-sounding caption about energy standards delivers a compliance shortcut that overrides the adopted energy code, and it works only for attics insulated with one product class, air impermeable insulation. That favors the makers and installers of that insulation type over other methods.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Business & Commerce
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Donors report through Friends of Donna Campbell.
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Mar 7, 2025
03/24/2025 S Referred to Business & Commerce
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Business & Commerce · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
HB 3314 by Harris (identical)
Subjects
Energy--Conservation
Housing--General
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
Text
The text as introduced · 364 words
89R958 MP-D By: Campbell S.B. No. 2102 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to certain energy efficiency performance standards for residential construction. 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. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR ATTIC AND RAFTER ASSEMBLIES. (a) This section applies only to residential construction. (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), pertaining to the insulation of unvented attic or unvented enclosed rafter assemblies, a local jurisdiction shall consider an unvented attic or unvented enclosed rafter assembly to be in compliance with the requirements of the portion of the energy code administered and enforced by that local jurisdiction pertaining to the insulation of unvented attic or unvented enclosed rafter assemblies if: (1) the attic or rafter assembly is insulated and air sealed with air impermeable insulation to an R-value of at least: (A) 20 if the attic or rafter assembly is located in climate zone 2 or 3; or (B) 26 if the attic or rafter assembly is located in climate zone 4; and (2) the building in which the attic or rafter assembly is located: (A) attains a blower door test result of less than 3.0 ACH50; (B) has a mechanical ventilation system that does not rely solely on a negative pressure strategy; (C) if insulation is installed below the roof deck and the exposed portion of the roof rafters is not already covered by air impermeable insulation to an R-value of at least 20 or 26, as applicable, has the exposed portion of the roof rafters wrapped in insulation to an R-value of at least 3, except that the rafters are not required to be covered by insulation if: (i) the rafters are directly covered by drywall or finished ceiling; or (ii) continuous insulation is installed above the roof deck; and (D) contains inside the building's thermal envelope the building's indoor heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment, including ductwork. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.