By: Watson S.B. No. 506

(In the Senate - Filed February 12, 2013; February 20, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce; March 4, 2013, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 4, 2013, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from registration and regulation requirements for steam cookers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 755.001, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (23-a) to read as follows:

(23-a) "Steam cooker" means a steam heating boiler that is:

(A) designed to steam cook food;

(B) operated at a pressure not exceeding five pounds per square inch; and

(C) equipped with a safety appliance operated at a pressure not exceeding five pounds per square inch.

SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 755.022, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) boilers owned or operated by the federal government;

(2) pressure vessels or process steam generators, other than steam collection or liberation drums of process steam generators;

(3) manually fired miniature boilers that:

(A) are constructed or maintained for locomotives, boats, tractors, or stationary engines only as a hobby for exhibition, recreation, education, or historical purposes and not for commercial use;

(B) have an inside diameter of 12 inches or less or a grate area of two square feet or less; and

(C) are equipped with a safety valve of adequate size, a water level indicator, and a pressure gauge; [or]

(4) boilers that are designed for operation only at atmospheric pressure and that are equipped with two independent means to prevent the buildup of pressure; or

(5) steam cookers.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

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