BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 710

By: Van de Putte

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerned parties assert that single blockable main drains in swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs can present a hazard by entrapping hair or body parts and causing prolonged submersion under water, which may lead to injury or death.   

S.B. 710 proposes to raise awareness of the dangers of suction entrapment by such drains by requiring the seller of a certain residential real property to include in the seller's disclosure notice notification of whether a residential swimming pool, hot tub, or spa contains a single blockable main drain. 

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

S.B. 710 amends the Property Code to expand the contents of the seller's disclosure notice of a property's condition, required to be executed by a seller of certain residential real property and given to the purchaser of the property, to include a space for the seller to indicate if the seller is aware or unaware of a single blockable main drain in a pool, hot tub, or spa, and a statement notifying the purchaser that a single blockable main drain may cause a suction entrapment hazard for an individual. The bill provides for the meaning of "blockable main drain" and "main drain."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.