By Lewis of Tarrant                                   H.B. No. 2844
         77R4820 MCK-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to authorizing the Texas Department of Health to exempt
 1-3     certain 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 September 1, 2001.