AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 506 amends Chapter 755 (Boilers) of the Health and Safety Code to exempt low-pressure food steam cookers from boiler regulation by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Chapter 755 currently classifies steam cookers as boilers.
In 2011, TDLR sent a cease and desist letter to Illinois Tool Works, manufacturers of Vulcan food steamers, requiring the company to remove certain models from use in Texas or modify them to comply with Chapter 755. The steam cooker units referenced in the cease and desist letter report a zero incident safety record, and TDLR acknowledges that the units pose no threat to public safety. TDLR and Illinois Tool Works have worked together to develop legislation that would exempt steam cookers from the regulation normally used for much larger boiler units. If the proposed legislation is not enacted, TDLR will be required to send cease and desist letters to the manufacturers of nearly 20,000 similar products in the state, many of which are used in school cafeterias as an economical way to prepare food for students.
S.B. 506 narrows the regulation statute to focus on products that could be potentially harmful for the public, and exempts a product that was developed subsequent to the enactment of the statute that poses no harm to the public.
S.B. 506 amends current law relating to an exemption from registration and regulation requirements for steam cookers.
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 755.001, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (23-a) to define "steam cooker" to mean a steam heating boiler that is designed to steam cook food, operated at a pressure not exceeding five pounds per square inch, and equipped with a safety appliance operated at a pressure not exceeding five pounds per square inch.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 755.022(a), Health and Safety Code, to add steam cookers to the list of items to which this chapter (Boilers) does not apply.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.