C.S.H.B. 1594 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1594
By: West, George "Buddy"
Energy Resources
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Section 117, Natural Resources Code contains requirements for
community liaison activities between pipeline operators and local
officials.  House Bill 1594 amends provisions passed in the 77th
Legislative Session concerning the steps a pipeline operator must go
through to provide safety related information to local fire, police, and
public emergency response officials.  Personal meetings with those local
officials are preferred.  However, if those local officials do not respond
to invitations for personal meetings, then the statute provides for other
alternatives. 

In current statute, there are specific provisions requiring pipeline
operators who have hazardous lines within 1,000 feet of a school to all
attend the first annual school board budget meeting for the district in
which that school is located and present their emergency response plans. 

House Bill 1594 would amend the requirement that all pipeline operators
attend the first budget meeting.  It would instead specify the emergency
response information which must be sent to a school board, upon request of
the school board.  


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: This section makes it clear that the pipeline operator must
take only one of three steps listed to arrange a personal meeting with
local officials. If that does not work, the operator has to take only one
of three listed steps to arrange a telephone conference. If attempts fail,
then the operator can mail the information. 

SECTION 2: If an operator has a hazardous liquids pipeline within 1,000
feet of a public school, it must give the school board, upon request, the
following pieces of its emergency response plan: 
 
 1. A description and a map of the pipeline facilities within 1,000 feet
of a school; 
 2. A list of the products transported in the segment;
 3. The emergency number for the pipeline facility operator
 4. Information on the state on call system;
 5. Information on how to recognize, report, and respond to product
release. 

The copies of the required items are to be sent to the school
superintendent by certified mail. 

If the school board requests it, the operator must attend a regularly
scheduled board meeting to discuss the information provided. 

Security sensitive information may be reviewed by a school board but does
not have to be released to the public. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 This Act  takes effect September 1, 2003.
 



COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

CSHB 1594  adds provisions regarding what steps operators must take to
arrange a personal meeting with local officials.   

CSHB 1594 adds provisions regarding emergency response plans. 

CSHB 1594 sets forth required items to be sent to the school
superintendent by certified mail.   

CSHB 1594 requires operators to attend regularly scheduled board meeting
to discuss the information provided.  

CSHB 1594 authorizes the school board to review security sensitive
information, and the school board  does not have to be released to the
public.