SRC-CDH H.B. 328 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 328 By: Kamel (Brown) Natural Resources 5-17-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Water Code does not allow for water sprinkler systems to be installed on the "common ground" of members of property owners' associations property without hiring a licensed irrigator for the installation. Critics of the present restrictions complain about not being able to install their own water systems at a lesser cost. H.B. 328 exempts members of property owners' associations from holding a license in order to perform irrigation or yard sprinkler work on the real property owned by the association or owned in common by association members. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 328 provides an exemption to the licensing requirements for irrigators. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 34.002(a), Water Code, to provide that the licensure requirements of this chapter do not apply to irrigation or yard sprinkler repair work done by a maintenance person incidental to and on premises owned or managed by the business in which the person is employed and who does not engage in the occupation of licensed irrigator or in yard sprinkler construction or maintenance for the general public. Provides that the licensure requirements do not apply to irrigation or yard sprinkler work done by a member of a property owners' association or by an employee of the association or its managing agent, on real property owned by the association or in common by the members of the association under certain circumstances. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.