SRC-PNG S.B. 1412 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1412 By: Zaffirini Border Affairs - Special 3/24/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, under Texas law, property owners are exempt from the requirement that all plumbing work must be performed by a licensed plumber. However, many colonia residents do not qualify for the exemption because they purchased land via a contract for deed, which does not provide them with title to the land. This presents a significant obstacle to using resident labor to install water and wastewater systems through the Small Town Environment Program (STEP), certified by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. This bill exempts certified STEP projects in colonias from the licensed plumber requirement. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1412 exempts certified STEP projects in colonias from the licensed plumber requirement. 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 Section 3, Article 6243-101, V.T.C.S., (The Plumbing License Law), by adding Subsection (c), as follows: (c) Permits plumbing work done by an organization providing "Self Help" work through a Small Town Environment Program (STEP), certified by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, in certain geographic and economically distressed areas to be done without license. Redesignates Subsections (c)-(e) as Subsections (d)-(f). SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.