H.B. 1512 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1512
By: West, George "Buddy"
Energy Resources
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In the 2001 legislative session, the Railroad Commission was given the
authority to strengthen its rules regarding public education and liaison.
Public education and liaison is an important element in pipeline safety by
providing information to the public regarding pipelines and how to react
in the event of an emergency. The State of Texas has provided through the
Division of Emergency Management, Local Emergency Planning Committees
(LEPC) in each of the 254 counties in Texas. The LEPCs are established to
help plan and coordinate for local emergencies.  

Currently, there is no mandate for the LEPCs to conduct meetings. By
establishing mandated meeting requirement, pipeline operators would be
afforded the opportunity to meet with the LEPCs on a periodic basis to
provide information regarding the pipeline facilities in the counties.
There are some LEPCs in the state that are very active in this area
already, and have proven to be very effective in carrying out the
education and liaison requirements for pipeline operators, as well as
increasing the awareness regarding pipelines and response to pipeline
emergencies. 

HB 1512 would direct the Railroad Commission to participate in the LEPC
activities.  The Railroad Commission personnel would attend the meetings
and provide regulatory information as part of the meeting presentation,
and help coordinate between the LEPCs and the pipeline operators. This
could be done in conjunction with the Commissions efforts in underground
damage prevention. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Section 418.106, Government Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (d). 

Section 418.106, Government Code is amended by adding Subsection (d)
states that each local or inter-jurisdictional agency shall hold at least
one public meeting each year to share information about its emergency
management plan. Each agency shall provide written notice of the date,
time, and location of the meeting, no later than the fifth day before the
meeting, to the pipeline safety section of the gas services division of
the Railroad Commission. 

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect September 1, 2003

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. Section 418.106(e) is amended to allow companies to protect
certain sensitive emergency response information that companies need to
keep private in order to maintain healthy security levels.