78R8701 T


By:  Farabee                                                      H.B. No. 2654



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to clarification of certain exemptions from requirements 
of pipeline assessment and testing.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 118.002, Natural Resources Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	SECTION 118.002.  PIPELINES FOR WHICH PLAN MAY BE REQUIRED.  
(a)  Except as provided in Subsection (b), the rules adopted under 
this chapter may apply to interstate pipelines, intrastate 
pipelines, portions of pipeline systems the regulation of which the 
federal government has temporarily delegated to the Railroad 
Commission of Texas, 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.
	(b)  Exempted from the application of this chapter are 
gathering lines outside:
		(i)  the limits of an incorporated or unincorporated 
city or village;
		(ii)  of any designated residential or commercial area 
such as residential subdivisions, businesses, shopping centers, or 
community development.
	SECTION 2.  This act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.