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.