HBA-KMH C.S.H.B. 2144 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2144 By: Reyna, Arthur Licensing & Administrative Procedures 5/7/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the State of Texas may adopt, through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (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. C.S.H.B. 2144 requires the board to adopt certain plumbing codes. This bill also provides that plumbing installed in an area not otherwise subject to regulation must be installed in accordance with a plumbing code adopted by the board under this section. Furthermore, this bill authorizes a municipality or owner of a public water system to adopt any nationally recognized model plumbing codes and standards that do not substantially vary with rules or laws of this state in adopting plumbing codes and standards, notwithstanding the other provisions of this section. 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. (The Plumbing License Law), to require the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (board) to adopt certain plumbing codes. Provides that plumbing installed in an area not otherwise subject to regulation must be installed in accordance with a plumbing code adopted by the board under this section. Authorizes a municipality or owner of a public water system to adopt any nationally recognized model plumbing codes and standards that do not substantially vary with rules or laws of this state in adopting plumbing codes and standards, notwithstanding the other provisions of this section. Deletes the requirement that the board adopt the Southern Standard Plumbing Code and the National Standard Plumbing Code. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 2144 modifies the original in SECTION 1 (Section 5B, Article 6243-101,V.T.C.S.) to require the board to adopt the Uniform Plumbing Code, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and the International Plumbing Code, as published by the International Code Council. The substitute deletes the requirement that the board adopt the Southern Standard Plumbing Code and the National Standard Plumbing Code. Additionally, the substitute authorizes a municipality or owner of a public water system, in adopting plumbing codes and standards, notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, to adopt any nationally recognized model plumbing codes and standards that do not substantially vary with rules or laws of this state, rather than only the codes and standards that do not substantially vary with the rules or laws of this state.