HBA-CBW H.B. 484 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 484
By: Craddick
Energy Resources
2/16/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law,  requires community liaison to be conducted in person to
maintain communication with appropriate fire, police, and local public
officials regarding preparations for pipeline emergencies.  House Bill 484
prohibits the Railroad Commission of Texas (commission) from requiring
community liaison to be conducted by meetings in person and requires the
commission to provide for other reasonable means of communication to
conduct community liaison meetings. 

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 484 amends the Natural Resources and Utilities codes regarding
response to an emergency involving a gas, hazardous liquid, or carbon
dioxide pipeline facility. The bill prohibits the Railroad Commission of
Texas (commission) from requiring community liaison to be conducted by
meetings in person. The bill requires the commission to provide for one or
more reasonable means of communication to conduct community liaison
meetings as alternatives to meetings in person.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.