SRC-JFA H.B. 1664 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1664 By: Oliveira (Lucio) Criminal Justice 5-15-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currenlty, signs and markers indicating potentially hazardous underground pipelines and facilities including powers and telephone lines, are often destroyed or concealed by iniquitous parties. This practice can result in a buyer of real property being unaware of a potential hazard underneath land. This potential problem arises when farm land surrounding industrial area plants is converted from agricultural to residential use. This bill would create a criminal penalty for the removal, damage or intentional concealment of signs or markers giving information about the location of certain underground facilities. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1664 creates a criminal penalty for the removal, damage or intentional concealment of signs or markers giving information about the location of certain undergournd facilties. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Provides that a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if the person without authorization from the owner or operator of the facility intentionally removes, damages, or conceals a marker or sign giving information about the location of an underground pipeline, electric transmission line, telegraph or telephone line, or other facility that is potentially hazardous to the public health or safety; and the marker or sign gives notice of the penalty for intentional removal, damage, or concealment of the marker or sign. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.