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.