SRC-MAX C.S.H.B. 1611 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1611
By: Turner, Bob (Shapiro)
Education
5-16-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, school districts are not required to perform annual pressure
tests on their natural gas piping systems, although the Railroad
Commission does monitor school campuses for leakage.  This bill requires
school districts to perform annual pressure tests on their natural gas
piping systems. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1611 sets forth provisions regarding the testing of
natural gas piping systems in school district facilities.  

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 Title 102, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6053-2a, as
follows: 

Art.  6053-2a.  TESTING OF NATURAL GAS PIPING SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL DISTRICT
FACILITIES   

Sec.  1.  Requires each school district to pressure test the natural gas
piping system in each school district facility, at least every two years.
Outlines pressure test cycles for certain school district facilities.
Sets forth requirements for the test and subsequent inspection of the
natural gas piping systems in school districts. 

Sec.  2.  Requires each school district to provide a written notice to the
district's natural gas supplier (supplier) which contains certain
information.  Requires the supplier to maintain a copy of the notice for a
certain period of time.  Requires the supplier to terminate service to a
school district facility under certain circumstances.  Requires an
identified natural gas leakage in a school district facility to be
reported to the board of trustees of the district in which the facility is
located.  Defines "supplier."  Requires the Railroad Commission of Texas
to enforce this article. 

SECTION 2. Requires the school district to perform the tests or other
inspections of natural gas piping systems either before the beginning of
the 1997-1998 school year or as soon as practicable thereafter.  Prohibits
a supplier from terminating service to a school district facility in
certain circumstances. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.
 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Title 102, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6053-2a, as follows:
 
Sec.  1.  Requires each school district to pressure test the natural gas
piping system in each school district facility at least every two years.
Outlines pressure testing cycles for school district facilities.   

Sec.  2.   Requires the school district to provide certain notification to
the district's natural gas supplier, rather than company supplying natural
gas.  Requires an identified natural gas leakage in a school district
facility to be reported to the board of trustees of the district in which
the facility is located.  Redefines "supplier."  Requires the Railroad
Commission of Texas to enforce this article.  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes.