By Lewis of Tarrant H.B. No. 2844 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to authorizing the Texas Board of Health to exempt certain 1-3 projects from rules relating to asbestos abatement. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 12, Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act 1-6 (Article 4477-3a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended by 1-7 adding Subsection (o) to read as follows: 1-8 (o) The board may exempt a demolition or renovation project 1-9 from the rules relating to demolition and renovation activities 1-10 adopted under Subsection (k) if: 1-11 (1) the project has received an exemption from the 1-12 United States Environmental Protection Agency exempting the project 1-13 from federal regulations; or 1-14 (2) the board determines that: 1-15 (A) the project will use methods for the 1-16 abatement or removal of asbestos that provide protection for the 1-17 public health and safety at least equivalent to the protection 1-18 provided by the procedures required under board rule for the 1-19 abatement or removal of asbestos; and 1-20 (B) the project does not violate federal law. 1-21 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 1-22 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 1-23 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 1-24 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 2-1 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.