HBA-NRS C.S.H.B. 2844 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2844 By: Lewis, Glenn Public Health 4/18/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The City of Fort Worth is granted authority by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a pilot project named Project XL that allows the city to develop an alternative method to address asbestos removal in structures set for demolition. The alternative method currently considered by the city does not require asbestos removal prior to demolition, does not adversely affect public health, and saves the city money in the demolition process. C.S.H.B. 2844 gives the Texas Board of Health the option of exempting a demolition or renovation project from state rules relating to asbestos removal or abatement prior to demolition or renovation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2844 amends the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act to authorize the Texas Board of Health (board) to exempt a demolition or renovation project from rules relating to demolition and renovation activities to protect the public from emissions of asbestos. An exemption only applies to a project if the United States Environmental Protection Agency exempts the project from federal regulations or the board determines that the project will use methods for the abatement or removal of asbestos that provide protection for the public health and safety at least equivalent to the protection provided by the procedures required under board rule for abatement or removal of asbestos and the project does not violate federal law. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 2844 modifies the original by providing that the bill takes effect immediately if it receives the necessary vote.