SRC-JXG H.B. 2261 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2261 76R9512 JJT-FBy: Turner, Bob (Brown) Education 5/12/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, Texas law requires nursing homes, day care centers, and public schools to perform annual pressure tests on their natural gas distribution piping systems to ensure integrity. However, the law does not place the same requirements on private schools. H.B. 2261 would require the testing of natural gas piping systems in school facilities, both public and private. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2261 sets forth provisions regarding testing natural gas piping systems in school 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 Chapter 121, Utilities Code, by adding Subchapter J, as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. TESTING OF NATURAL GAS PIPING SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL FACILITIES Sec. 121.501. APPLICABILITY. Provides that this subchapter applies only to a facility of a public school or a private school but does not apply to a home school. Sec. 121.502. DEFINITION. Defines "supplier." Sec. 121.503. DUTY TO PRESSURE TEST. Requires a person responsible for a school facility to perform biennial pressure tests on the natural gas piping system in each school facility. Requires the tests to be performed before the beginning of the school year. Authorizes a person responsible for more than one school facility to perform the tests on a two-year cycle under which the pressure tests are performed for the natural gas piping systems of approximately one-half of the facilities each year. Provides that a test performed under a municipal code satisfies the pressure testing requirements prescribed by this section. Sec. 121.504. REQUIREMENTS OF TEST. Requires the person responsible for a school facility to perform the pressure test to determine whether the natural gas piping downstream of the school facility's meter holds at least normal operating pressure over a specified period determined by the Railroad Commission. Requires each system supply inlet and outlet in the facility to be closed, during the pressure test. Requires the Railroad Commission to assist the person in developing a procedure for conducting the test, at the request of a person responsible for a school facility. Sec. 121.505. NOTICE OF TEST. Requires a person responsible for a school facility to provide written notice to the school's supplier specifying the date and result of each pressure test or other inspection. Requires the supplier to maintain a copy of the notice until at least the first anniversary of the date on which the supplier received the notice. Sec. 121.506. TERMINATION OF SERVICE. Requires a supplier to terminate service to a school facility the supplier receives official notification from the firm or individual conducting the test of a hazardous natural gas leakage in the facility piping system, or a test or other inspection at the facility is not performed as required by this subchapter. Sec. 121.507. REPORT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 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. Requires an identified natural gas leakage in another school facility to be reported to the person responsible for the school facility. Sec. 121.508. ENFORCEMENT. Requires the Railroad Commission to enforce this subchapter. SECTION 2. Repealer: Article 6053-2A, V.T.C.S. (Testing of Natural Gas Piping Systems in School District Facilities). SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.