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.