SRC-JBJ S.B. 295 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 295
By: Jackson
Economic Development
2/22/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

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 the label of approval missing or defaced.  A
missing label often results in the fire extinguisher being discarded.  S.B.
295 will allow service to a portable fire extinguisher without a label of
approval. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 295 authorizes a person to service certain portable fire
extinguishers. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection
in SECTION 1 (Section 5(e), Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code), of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 5, Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e), to prohibit a person from
servicing a fire extinguisher without a label of approval, except as
provided by Subsection (e).   Requires the Texas Commission on Fire
Protection to permit, by rule, a person to service a portable fire
extinguisher regardless of whether it carries a label described by
Subsection (a).   Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 10, Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to adopt rules
under Subsection (e), Section 5, Article 5.43-1, Insurance Code, no later
than January 1, 2000. 

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.