BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2334
88R22673 DIO-D	By: Burns et al. (Paxton)
	Business & Commerce
	5/9/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, contractors may work on some outdoor, underground installation of water, wastewater, and storm drainage lines for commercial buildings, industrial and residential developments, and multi-family housing. However, for some projects on and around private property, licensed plumbers alone are permitted to perform certain work even when the nature of the work itself may not require it. This has raised concerns about the unnecessary burdens on projects and contractors.

H.B. 2334 seeks to lessen these burdens by creating an exemption to the requirement for a person to obtain a plumbing license to perform certain work done within five feet of a qualifying building or structure.

H.B. 2334 amends current law relating to an exemption from the plumbing licensing law for certain work performed on certain private property.

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, by adding Section 1301.059, as follows:

Sec. 1301.059.  WORK PERFORMED ON CERTAIN PRIVATE PROPERTY.� (a) Provides that a person is not required to be licensed under Chapter 1301 (Plumbers) to perform work consisting of installing, servicing, or repairing service mains or service lines that provide water, sewer, or storm drainage services on private property in an area that extends from a public right-of-way or public easement to not less than five feet from a building or structure.

(b) Provides that this section does not apply to plumbing work performed on private property designated for use as a one-family or two-family dwelling.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.