HBA-KSM  H.B. 2144 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2144
By: Reyna, Arthur
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
4/13/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the State of Texas may adopt, through the Texas State Plumbing
Board, three plumbing codes, mainly for unincorporated areas of the state.
In an effort to achieve national uniformity, the three  major model code
organizations have joined with municipal officials to develop and publish a
single set of model codes, resulting in the publication of the
International Plumbing Code, which is currently available for adoption by
governmental jurisdictions nationwide.  H.B. 2133 allows for the adoption
of the International Plumbing Code, and clarifies that the codes listed in
the statute are those that are authorized to be used by areas not governed
by another plumbing code.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 5B, Article 6243-101,V.T.C.S. (Plumbing License
Law), to require the Texas State Plumbing Board (board) to adopt the latest
edition of certain plumbing codes. Requires the plumbing installed in an
area not otherwise subject to regulation to be installed in accordance with
a plumbing code adopted by the board under Subsection (a) of this section.
Requires a municipality or owner of a public water system to only adopt
codes and standards that do not substantially vary with rules or laws of
this state in adopting plumbing codes and standards.  
SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.