By Hardcastle H.B. No. 2205 76R6478 PEP-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the possession and transport of anhydrous ammonia and 1-3 to the use of anhydrous ammonia equipment; providing penalties. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 6, Health and Safety Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Chapter 504 to read as follows: 1-7 CHAPTER 504. ANHYDROUS AMMONIA 1-8 Sec. 504.001. OFFENSE: POSSESSION OR TRANSPORT. (a) A 1-9 person commits an offense if the person: 1-10 (1) possesses and maintains anhydrous ammonia in a 1-11 container or receptacle that is not designed and manufactured to 1-12 hold anhydrous ammonia; or 1-13 (2) transports anhydrous ammonia in a container or 1-14 receptacle that is not designed and manufactured to transport 1-15 anhydrous ammonia. 1-16 (b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony. 1-17 Sec. 504.002. OFFENSE: USE OF EQUIPMENT. (a) A person 1-18 commits an offense if the person: 1-19 (1) uses, delivers, or sells a container or receptacle 1-20 designed and manufactured to hold anhydrous ammonia without the 1-21 express consent of the owner of the container or receptacle; or 1-22 (2) tampers with equipment manufactured and used to 1-23 hold, apply, or transport anhydrous ammonia without the express 1-24 consent of the owner of the equipment. 2-1 (b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony. 2-2 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-3 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-4 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-5 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-6 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-7 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.