SRC-JRN C.S.S.B. 963 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   C.S.S.B. 963
By: Shapiro
Education
4-18-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, no Texas law provides for the testing of natural gas piping
systems in school district facilities.  Schools having natural gas leaks
may be unaware of these leaks unless gas tests are performed.  This bill
sets forth requirements for the testing of natural gas piping systems in
school district facilities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 963 sets forth requirements for 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, before the beginning of each
odd-numbered school year.  Requires the pressure test to determine whether
the natural gas piping downstream of the school district's meter holds at
least normal operating pressure over a specified period determined by the
Railroad Commission of Texas (commission).  Requires each system supply
inlet and outlet in the facility to be closed during the pressure test.
Requires the commission to assist the district in developing a procedure
for conducting the test at the request of a school district. 

Sec. 2. Requires each school district to provide written notice to the
natural gas supplier specifying the date and result of each pressure test.
Requires the natural gas supplier to maintain a copy of the notice until
at least the first anniversary of the date on which the supplier received
the notice.  Requires the supplier to terminate service to a school
district facility if the supplier receives notice of a hazardous natural
gas leakage in the facility piping system, or the district fails to
perform a test at the facility as required by this article. 

SECTION 2. Provides that if a school district is not able to pressure test
the natural gas piping system as required by that article, before the
beginning of the 1997-1998 school year, the district is required to
perform the test as soon as practicable thereafter, notwithstanding
Article 6053-2a, V.T.C.S. 

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




 SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Page 1, line 9, replace "Before the beginning of each school year" with
"Before the beginning of each odd-numbered school year".