BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2019
By: Watson
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas law, dating from the 1970s, currently prohibits the use of flammable or toxic refrigerants. The new alternative R1234yf is slightly flammable whereas the current R-123a is not flammable. It is the Environmental Protection Agency's evaluation, approval, and setting of usage conditions and process that ensures an alternative refrigerant can be safely used in a vehicle, even if it is slightly flammable like R1234yf.
Manufacturers are transitioning the design of air-conditioning systems for the use of these newer, more environmentally friendly, refrigerants. Consistency across the nation is ideal. In addition to Texas, the following states have laws that prohibit the use of these newer refrigerants: Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Louisiana. Over the past three years, 15 states have removed statutory or regulatory barriers to the use of these refrigerants.
S.B. 2019 amends current law relating to the use of certain refrigerants in motor vehicle air conditioning units.
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 547.610(a), Transportation Code, to prohibit air-conditioning equipment from containing any refrigerant that is flammable or toxic to persons unless the refrigerant is included in the list published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a safe alternative motor vehicle air conditioning substitute for cholorflourocarbon-12, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 7671k(c).
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.