TX HB5148

Prohibits municipalities with certified fire departments from requiring more than one stairway in multifamily residential buildings (Group R-2 occupancy) that meet specific safety criteria

Qualifying single-stairway buildings must be no more than six stories tall, have no more than four dwelling units per floor, and maintain a maximum 20-foot distance from unit doors to the exit stairway

Requires extensive fire safety features including automatic sprinklers in stairways, two-hour fire-rated stairway enclosures, one-hour fire-rated corridors, and automatic smoke and fire detection systems throughout common areas

Mandates emergency escape and rescue openings on each floor, limits exit access travel distance to 125 feet, and prohibits electrical receptacles in interior exit stairways

Preserves municipal authority over general zoning requirements (height limits, setbacks, site plan review) and does not restrict property owners' associations from enforcing private deed restrictions