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.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2844 was passed by the House on May
         5, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not
         voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2844 was passed by the Senate on May
         22, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not
         voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor