HBA-CCH H.B. 1279 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1279
By: Coleman
Public Health
3/1/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 72nd Legislature enacted legislation relating to the regulation of
asbestos removal from public buildings through the Texas Asbestos Health
Protection Act.  This legislation exempts persons performing  resilient
floor-covering removal consistent with work practices published by the
resilient floor covering industry or approved by the commissioner of health
from the licensing and registration requirements.  House Bill 1279 repeals
the exemption, thereby making all persons removing resilient floor
coverings comply with the Texas Department of Health's asbestos abatement
guidelines.  

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1279 repeals law that exempts persons from licensing and
registration requirements of the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act who
are performing resilient floor-covering removal consistent with work
practices published by the resilient floor covering industry or by other
methods determined by the commissioner of health to provide comparable
protection from asbestos exposure.  The bill provides that a person who is
engaged in an activity involving resilient floor-covering material on
August 31, 2001 is not required to comply with the licensing and
registration requirements of the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act
before January 1, 2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.