HBA-NRS H.B. 2844 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2844
By: Lewis, Glenn
Public Health
3/27/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The City of Fort Worth is granted authority by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a pilot project named Project XL
that allows the city to develop an alternative method to address asbestos
removal in structures set for demolition. The alternative method currently
considered by the city does not require asbestos removal prior to
demolition, does not adversely affect public health, and saves the city
money in the demolition process.  House Bill 2844 gives the Texas Board of
Health the option of exempting a demolition or renovation project from
state rules relating to asbestos removal or abatement prior to demolition
or renovation.   

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 2844 amends the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act to
authorize the Texas Board of Health (board) to exempt a demolition or
renovation project from rules relating to demolition and renovation
activities to protect the public from emissions of asbestos. An exemption
only applies to a project that has received an exemption from the United
States Environmental Protection Agency exempting the project from federal
regulations or the board determines that the project will use methods for
the abatement or removal of asbestos that provide protection for the public
health and safety at least equivalent to the protection provided by the
procedures required under board rule for abatement or removal of asbestos
and the project does not violate federal law. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.