SRC-JEC S.B. 1330 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1330 77R6048 MTB-FBy: Brown, J. E. "Buster" Natural Resources 4/12/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Submetering is a more accurate way of measuring water consumption in multifamily housing than simply dividing the water bill. Older plumbing fixtures are less efficient than more modern ones. As proposed, S.B. 1330 requires owners of certain multifamily housing structures to use submetering to measure the quantity of water consumed by occupants of an individual unit. It also requires owners of certain housing structures to install higher efficiency plumbing fixtures in units that are not individually monitored for water use. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 13.502, Water Code) and SECTION 2 (Section 13.506, Water Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 13.502, Water Code, as follows: (a) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) to by rule require an owner of an apartment house on which construction begins on or after January 1, 2003, and other facility or structure owners to submeter each dwelling unit or rental unit for the measurement of the quantity of water, if any, consumed by the occupants of that unit. Deletes text authorizing the owners or a condominium manager to provide for the submetering of the units. (b) Authorizes an owner of an apartment house on which construction began before January 1, 2003, and a condominium manager to provide for submetering of each dwelling unit or rental unit for the measurement of the quantity of water, if any, consumed by the occupants of that unit. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 13M, Water Code, by adding Section 13.506, as follows: Sec. 13.506. PLUMBING FIXTURES. (a) Defines "plumbing fixture." (b) Requires the commission to by rule require an apartment house owner, a manufactured home rental community owner, a multiple use facility owner, or a condominium manager to install plumbing fixtures that meet certain standards in the dwelling units and rental units that are not individually metered. SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2001, for SECTION 1 of this Act. Effective date: January 1, 2003, for SECTION 2 of this Act. (b) Requires the commission to adopt rules to implement this Act not later than January 1, 2002.