SRC-TAG H.B. 2654 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2654
By: Farabee (Estes)
Natural Resources
5/12/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Section 118.002 (Pipeline For Which Plan May Be Required) of
the Natural Resources Code, allows the Texas Railroad Commission
(commission) to require operators of pipelines to file for commission
approval a plan for assessment or testing of their pipelines. However, the
current law could allow the commission to also impose these requirements
on gathering lines that are outside of populated areas.  H.B. 2654
excludes gathering lines outside of populated areas or residential or
commercial areas from the application of this law. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 118.002, Natural Resources Code, as follows: 

Sec.  118.002.  PIPELINES FOR WHICH PLAN MAY BE REQUIRED.  (a)  Provides
that Subsection (b) is an exception to authorizing the rules adopted under
this chapter to apply to interstate pipelines, intrastate pipelines,
portions of pipeline systems the regulation of which the federal
government has temporarily delegated to the Texas Railroad Commission
(commission), or gathering lines, and to pipelines for the transportation
of any substance or material under the jurisdiction of the commission, as
specified by the commission.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.  

(b)  Exempts from the application of this chapter gathering lines outside:
the limits of an incorporated or unincorporated city or village and any
designated residential or commercial area such as residential
subdivisions, businesses, shopping centers, or community development. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.