1-1     By:  Hardcastle, et al. (Senate Sponsor-Armbrister)   H.B. No. 2205
 1-2           (In the Senate - Received from the House April 26, 1999;
 1-3     April 27, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on
 1-4     Natural Resources; May 12, 1999, reported favorably by the
 1-5     following vote:  Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 12, 1999, sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to the possession and transport of anhydrous ammonia and
 1-9     to the use of anhydrous ammonia equipment; providing penalties.
1-10           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-11           SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 6, Health and Safety Code, is
1-12     amended by adding Chapter 504 to read as follows:
1-13                       CHAPTER 504.  ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
1-14           Sec. 504.001.  OFFENSE: POSSESSION OR TRANSPORT.  (a)  A
1-15     person commits an offense if the person:
1-16                 (1)  possesses and maintains anhydrous ammonia in a
1-17     container or receptacle that is not designed and manufactured to
1-18     hold anhydrous ammonia; or
1-19                 (2)  transports anhydrous ammonia in a container or
1-20     receptacle that is not designed and manufactured to transport
1-21     anhydrous ammonia.
1-22           (b)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
1-23           Sec. 504.002.  OFFENSE:  USE OF EQUIPMENT.  (a)  A person
1-24     commits an offense if the person:
1-25                 (1)  uses, delivers, or sells a container or receptacle
1-26     designed and manufactured to hold anhydrous ammonia without the
1-27     express consent of the owner of the container or receptacle; or
1-28                 (2)  tampers with equipment manufactured and used to
1-29     hold, apply, or transport anhydrous ammonia without the express
1-30     consent of the owner of the equipment.
1-31           (b)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
1-32           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-33           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-34     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-35     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-36     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-37     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
1-38                                  * * * * *