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	Amend HB 4300 (House Committee Printing) as follows:                         
	(1)  Add the following SECTIONS to the bill, appropriately 
numbered, and renumber the subsequent SECTIONS of the bill 
accordingly:
	SECTION ____.  Subchapter E, Chapter 121, Utilities Code, is 
amended by adding Section 121.2017 to read as follows:
	Sec. 121.2017.  SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN PORTIONS OF 
PIPELINES IN CERTAIN POPULOUS COUNTIES.  (a)  This section applies 
only to that portion of a gas pipeline that is located or proposed 
to be located in:
		(1)  a Class 3 or 4 location as defined by 49 C.F.R. 
Section 192.5; and
		(2)  a county that is located wholly or partly above a 
hydrocarbon-producing geological formation in which during the 
preceding year the railroad commission issued more than 1,500 
drilling permits authorizing gas wells to be completed.
	(b)  A gathering pipeline may not be constructed within 30 
feet of an established permanent structure that is used by human 
beings on a regular basis unless:
		(1)  the owner of the structure consents in writing to 
the construction of the pipeline; or
		(2)  the pipeline meets enhanced safety requirements in 
its design, construction, and operation as determined by the 
railroad commission.
	(c)  A transmission pipeline may not be constructed within 50 
feet of an established permanent structure that is used by human 
beings on a regular basis unless:
		(1)  the owner of the structure consents in writing to 
the construction of the pipeline; or
		(2)  the pipeline meets enhanced safety requirements in 
its design, construction, and operation as determined by the 
railroad commission.
	(d)  A gathering pipeline must use advanced leak detection 
measures as determined by the railroad commission.
	(e)  The pipe used in a gathering or transmission pipeline 
must be constructed of materials that meet the requirements of 49 
C.F.R. Part 192.
	(f)  A gathering or transmission pipeline must be protected 
from external corrosion in the manner required by 49 C.F.R. Part 
192.
	(g)  A pipeline integrity assessment by in-line inspection, 
a pressure test, or a direct assessment as defined by railroad 
commission rules of a gathering pipeline must be conducted every 
five years.
	(h)  The railroad commission shall adopt rules to implement 
this section.
	(i)  This section and railroad commission rules adopted to 
implement this section shall be enforced in the same manner as 
Section 121.201 and safety standards or other rules prescribed or 
adopted under that section.
	SECTION ____.  (a)  As soon as practicable after January 1, 
2010, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall adopt rules to 
implement Section 121.2017, Utilities Code, as added by this Act.
	(b)  Sections 121.2017(b)-(e), Utilities Code, as added by 
this Act, apply only to a pipeline constructed on or after January 
1, 2010.
	(c)  A pipeline subject to this Act that is in existence on 
January 1, 2010, is not required to be brought into compliance with 
Sections 121.2017(f) and (g), Utilities Code, as added by this Act, 
until February 4, 2012.
	(2)  On page 2, strike line 4 and substitute the following:                    
	SECTION 2.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this 
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
	(b)  Section 121.2017, Utilities Code, as added by this Act, 
takes effect January 1, 2010.