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.