BILL ANALYSIS C.S.S.B. 266 By: Armbrister (Uher) 4-21-95 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND Air conditioning contractors are licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under the authority granted by the Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor Licensing Law (Articles 8861 and 9100, V.T.C.S.). PURPOSE S.B. 266 exempts certain individuals from the regulation of air conditioning and refrigeration contractors. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 6(a), Article 8861, V.T.C.S. (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License Law), provides that this act does not apply to a person who performs diagnostic tests, maintenance, modifications, repair, replacement, removal, or installation of process cooling or heating systems integrated in the manufacturing or production operations of an industrial facility, plant, or factory. Adds (8) to exempt those who perform air conditioning and refrigeration contracting as a retail or wholesale dealer of liquified petroleum gas, if the person holds a license issued by the Railroad Commission, under Chapter 113, Natural Resources Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute includes an exemption for those who perform services in industrial operations such as diagnostic tests, maintenance, modifications, repair, replacement, removal or installation of systems integrated in the manufacturing or production operations of an industrial facility, plant or factory. It also exempts from the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor Licensing Law, retail and wholesale dealers of liquefied petroleum gas licensed by the Rail Road Commission under Chapter 113, Natural Resources Code. The original did not provide for this. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION SB 266 was heard in a Formal Meeting on April 21, 1995. The Chair laid out SB 266 which was the Senate Companion to HB 660 which was pending in subcommittee. There was no objection. Rep. Yarbrough offered a complete committee substitute to SB 266, and moved that the full committee adopt CSSB 266. There was no objection. Rep. Jones moved that the full committee adopt SB 266 as substituted, and that it be reported favorably to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion prevailed by the following vote: AYES: 8, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 1.