The House State Affairs Committee will hear a bill Monday that proposes major reforms to the Texas Residential Construction Commission.

Authored by state Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, House Bill 3404 contains provisions that, if passed, would give homeowners some relief in the state-administered dispute resolution process that critics charge is dominated by the construction industry.

Farrar said she filed the bill to address concerns over the structure and function of the agency.

"One big concern of mine is that consumer rights are diminished in the current statute," Farrar said. "It is ridiculous that this statute actually regulates consumers (on behalf of) the home building industry."

Qualifications for homebuilders would increase.

The bill requires builders to participate in the Texas Star Builder program, currently a voluntary program. Participation involves showing proof of knowledge about construction practices.

A builder would also have to show proof of financial responsibility by maintaining a minimum $500,000 bond.

The commission membership — dominated by industry representatives since its formation in 2003 — would be reshaped to include three members with a history of consumer advocacy and no ties to the industry.

The commission has been criticized because it cannot discipline builders under its current bylaws if they refuse to take action after they're found at fault by a third-party inspector.

Farrar's bill provides disciplinary action in cases where judgments are ignored or builders don't follow specified architectural drawings and engineering designs.

Farrar agreed to introduce the bill at the behest of Homeowners for Better Building, a San Antonio-based consumer group that advocates for aggrieved homebuyers.