BILL ANALYSIS Natural Resources Committee H.B. 276 By: Bosse 03-06-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Due to water saving performance standards passed into law during the 72nd Session, standards for various plumbing fixtures, including standards for toilets, went into effect on January 1, 1992. The change in standards for toilets has created problems in systems put in before 1992. PURPOSE This bill alleviates those problems by giving plumbers greater latitude in creating solutions to plumbing problems in older homes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 372.002(f), Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (5), which removes toilets installed during the remodeling of a building from the act if: (1) the sewer pipes were laid before January 1, 1992, (2) are not replaced during the remodeling, (3) and the size and the degree of fall will not accommodate the maximum flow for a toilet set by the section. SECTION 2. Effective Date. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HB 276 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on March 6, 1995. The following person testified against the bill: Mr. Tony T. Gregg, representing the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association. The bill was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.