BILL ANALYSIS
By: Wentworth
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Current Texas law prohibits the sale or use of a flammable refrigerant or refrigerant substitute
that contains a liquid petroleum-based product for use in an automotive, aviation, commercial, or
residential air conditioning or refrigeration system.
Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerant technology has reached new thresholds and now replicates the
cooling characteristics of CFC R-12 (freon), but is prohibited from being utilized in any
application. HC technology has been embraced by governments and organizations throughout
the world because of its non ozone depleting, non global warming, and energy saving qualities.
C.S.S.B. 1290 provides an exception to the prohibition on sale of liquid petroleum-based refrigerants to allow the sale for use in a motor vehicle.
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
Current law provides a Class C misdemeanor for the purchase of a refrigerant containing a liquid petroleum-based product for use in an automotive, aviation, commercial, or residential air
conditioning or refrigeration system. C.S.S.B. 1290 amends the Occupations Code to provide that it is an exception to this provision if the refrigerant is purchased for use only in a motor vehicle and that use is authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
EFFECTIVE DATE
If this Act does not receive the necessary vote for immediate effect then the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.