SRC-BWC H.B. 2008 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2008
By: Naishtat (Sponsor Unknown)
State Affairs
5/11/2001
Engrossed

This analysis is based on the House Committee Report, which is the most
recent version available to the Senate Research Center. 

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law prohibits smoking in public buildings, but other air pollutants
such as radon gas, lead, pesticides, molds, asbestos, formaldehyde, carbon
dioxide and carbon monoxide endanger the public as well.  Indoor air
pollution can cause "Sick Building Syndrome" symptoms, including headaches,
fatigue, eye and respiratory tract infections, dizziness, and nausea.
While in 1995 the legislature directed the Texas Board of Health (board) to
develop voluntary indoor air quality guidelines for public schools,
guidelines should  now be extended to other government buildings.  H.B.
2008 requires the board to establish voluntary air quality guidelines for
all buildings owned or leased by a governmental entity that are occupied or
regularly open to the public.  
 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION

House Bill 2008 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas
Board of Health (board) to establish voluntary guidelines for indoor air
quality in government buildings, rather than only in public school
buildings.  H.B. 2008 authorizes the board to set different air quality
guidelines for buildings that are regularly occupied or visited by
children.  The bill provides that neither current law nor the provisions of
this bill create liability for a governmental entity for an injury caused
by a failure to comply with the established voluntary guidelines. 

Effective date: September 1, 2001.