We would like to invite TASM members to the yard of Dodson House Moving on May 7,
2010. Edgar and Gator Dodson along with other TASM members are preparing a
demonstration to determine the weight of various structures including classrooms and
houses. It is our hope that the information gathered and the demonstration itself will give
us a better working knowledge of relevant weights for the structures that we move
throughout each year. This will be important in our continued effort to create a strong and
open relationship with TXDOT and assisting our movers with proper weight
diagramming on TXDOT Form 109.
The Permits Committee, led by Billy Lemons with the help of his assistant Leslie
Stewart, gathered some very valuable information for the members of our association
concerning the moving of classrooms. The Texas Occupations Code was recently
amended impacting the law for moving relocatable educational facilities (REFs) that are
leased or purchased after January 1, 2010. The language of the new statute proved to be
somewhat ambiguous as to the impact the law had on movers of REFs.
Billy traveled to Austin and went to the offices of the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR) to find out if movers needed to be licensed to move REFs impacted
by the changes in the Occupations Code. Although he was not immediately rewarded
with an answer, he did strike gold two weeks later with a written opinion provided by
Della Lindquist, Assistant General Legal Counsel for the TDLR. Ms. Lindquist provided
the TASM with the following relevant information:
- 1. Structural Mover do not need a license to just move (transport) the buildings to the site.
- 2. Whoever is responsible for the overall site work, including the foundation, installation on the foundation, completion of plumbing, electrical, HVAC work, etc. to complete the installation needs to be registered as an industrialized builder.
- 3. If the school district has overall responsibility for the installation, then they can either register as an industrialized builder (covers all installations for one year) or obtain an installation permit from the Department for each building installed or they can contract with an industrialized builder for all the work to be completed.
- 4. Any REF that does not possess a decal issued by the Texas Industrialized Building Code Council agency may not be sold or leased to be used as portable classroom facilities after January 1, 2010.
- 5. Contractors, such as plumbers and electricians are required to be properly licensed or registered and it is the responsibility of the installer or industrialized builder who is incharge of the installation to make sure that the subcontractors are properly licensed or registered.
The Legislative Committee has been working hard with former TASM Board member
George McMillan to save sixty plus beach houses that have been targeted for demolition
in Galveston, Texas. After Hurricane Ike, the City of Galveston acquired the houses via a
federal buyout program known as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The City
accepted the grant money with the proviso that all of the houses were required to be
demolished and disposed. George is on the ground in Galveston and has gathered strong
community support and the ear of the Galveston City Council to save the houses from a
landfill fate and to be relocated to other areas. At the time of press, this fight continues.
Please call me at 512-328-6683 or email me at rhett@328move.com if you would like to
help with this worthy effort.
Sincerely,
Rhett Hoestenbach
TASM President