Bill Text: TX SB1580 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the testing of drinking water from and the replacement and repair of drinking water outlets and water lines on publicly owned and operated property.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-21 - Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs [SB1580 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB1580-Introduced.html
  85R13175 SLB-D
 
  By: Garcia S.B. No. 1580
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the testing of drinking water from and the replacement
  and repair of drinking water outlets and water lines on publicly
  owned and operated property.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 341, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 341.0317 to read as follows:
         Sec. 341.0317.  DRINKING WATER ON PUBLICLY OWNED AND
  OPERATED PROPERTY. (a) In this section: 
               (1)  "Child care facility" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 88.001.
               (2)  "Drinking water outlet" means any point-of-use
  device, including a water fountain, faucet, or tap regularly used
  for drinking water or food preparation.
               (3)  "Federal rule" means the United States
  Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule (40 C.F.R.
  Part 141, Subpart I).
               (4)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
               (5)  "Public junior college" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 61.003, Education Code.
               (6)  "Public water system" has the meaning assigned by
  the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300f et
  seq.).
               (7)  "State hospital" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 552.0011.
               (8)  "State supported living center" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 531.002.
               (9)  "Water line" means the pipe and its fittings that
  connect a drinking water main to a drinking water outlet.
         (b)  The commission shall create a program under which the
  commission routinely tests the levels of lead and copper in the
  water emitted from all drinking water outlets and water lines that
  serve property owned and operated by the state or a political
  subdivision of this state, including:
               (1)  public schools;
               (2)  publicly owned child care facilities;
               (3)  institutions of higher education and public junior
  colleges;
               (4)  state supported living centers;
               (5)  public hospitals;
               (6)  state agencies; and
               (7)  public parks.
         (c)  The commission shall create a plan that includes:
               (1)  a process for the commission to cooperate with
  state agencies, political subdivisions, and public water systems to
  create a schedule to repair or replace all drinking water outlets
  and water lines that contain water with levels of lead and copper
  that exceed the standards set by the federal rule; and
               (2)  a standardized routine maintenance plan to ensure
  that all drinking water outlets and water lines are safe for public
  use.
         (d)  An entity responsible for the maintenance of a drinking
  water outlet or water line that the commission determines contains
  water with levels of lead and copper that exceed the standards set
  by the federal rule shall:
               (1)  repair or replace the drinking water outlet or
  water line according to the plan and schedule created under
  Subsection (c); and
               (2)  bear the cost of the repair or replacement of the
  drinking water outlet or water line.
         (e)  The commission shall post on the publicly accessible
  portion of the commission's Internet website, and each affected
  state agency or political subdivision shall post on its Internet
  website:
               (1)  results of testing under Subsection (b); and
               (2)  repair and replacement schedules described in the
  plan created under Subsection (c).
         SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than August 1, 2018, the Texas
  Commission on Environmental Quality shall create the program and
  the plan as required by Section 341.0317, Health and Safety Code, as
  added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2018, the Texas Commission
  on Environmental Quality shall begin testing as required by Section
  341.0317, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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