H.B. 1615 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1615 By: Farabee Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, in Chapter 74 of the Health and Safety Code, automatic elevators must conform to specific standards set by the commissioner by September 2005. These standards deal with door restrictors and firefighter's service in the 1994 ASME Code A17.3 and A17.1. Building owners, upon written request, are able to receive delays for compliance until September 2005. With the current state of the Texas economy, building owners (especially those with buildings built prior to 1994) are facing an overwhelming financial burden to conform with these requirements. This bill provides that upon writing the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the commissioner shall grant a building owner a delay of door restictors and firefighter's service until September 1, 2010. 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 Amends Section 754.014 of the Health and Safety Code by allowing a commissioner to grant a delay until September 1, 2010, for compliance with the requirements for door restrictors or firefighter's service in the 1994 ASME Code A17.3 if those requirements were not included in the ASME Code A17.1 that was in effect on the date of installation of the elevator, escalator, or related equipment. Also, provided that equipment was not subsequently installed by an owner of the elevator, escalator, or related equipment. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003