JWW H.B. 2296 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC SAFETY
H.B. 2296
By: Jackson
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, a fire extinguisher without a label of approval cannot be
leased, sold, rented, serviced, or installed.  Once used, a portable fire
extinguisher will often have its Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. (UL) label
missing or defaced.  This often results in the discard of the fire
extinguisher due to a missing or unreadable label. 

PURPOSE

This bill will allow a for the service of a portable fire extinguisher
without a label of approval. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection
in Section 5 and Section 10(7), Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1 Amends Subsection (a) Section 5, Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code,
as follows:. 
  
  (a)  Amended to provide an exception under Subsection (e).
  
  (e)  Allows a portable fire extinguisher to be serviced without a label
of     approval. 

SECTION 2 Amends Section 10, Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code.
  
  (7)  Amended to provide an exception under subsection (e).

SECTION 3 Allows the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to adopt rules
under Section   5, Subsection (e), Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code, as
added by this act, not later   than January 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4. Emergency Clause.  Effective upon passage.