BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2266
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Municipalities with a population of 1,000,000 or more, such as Houston, were recently required to adopt standards sufficient to maintain water pressure for service to fire hydrants adequate to protect public safety in residential areas. Some residential areas are not protected by fire hydrants.
As proposed, S.B. 2266 adds the installation of fire hydrants under the regulatory authority of a public utility in addition to the standards of maintaining water pressure.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the regulatory authority for a public utility in SECTION 1 (Section 341.0357, Health and Safety Code) and SECTION 2 (Section 341.0358, Health and Safety Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 341.0357(b), Health and Safety Code, as added by Chapter 861 (H.B. 1391), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, as follows:
(b) Requires the regulatory authority for a public utility, by rule or ordinance, to adopt standards for installing fire hydrants and maintaining sufficient water pressure for service to fire hydrants adequate to protect public safety in residential areas in a municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 341.0358(b), Health and Safety Code, as follows:
(b) Requires the regulatory authority for a public utility, by rule or ordinance, to adopt standards for installing fire hydrants and maintaining sufficient water pressure for service to fire hydrants adequate to protect public safety in residential areas in a municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more.
SECTION 3. (a) Makes application of Section 1 of this Act contingent upon passage of (S.B.__/H.B.__).
(b) Makes application of Section 2 of this Act contingent upon passage of (S.B.__/H.B.__).
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2009.