EMERGENCY RULESAn agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an 
existing section on an emergency basis if it determines that such action is 
necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare of this state. The section 
may become effective immediately upon filing with the Texas Register, or on a 
stated date less than 20 days after filing and remaining in effect no more than 
120 days. The emergency action is renewable once for no more than 60 additional 
days.
Symbology in amended emergency sections. New language added to an existing 
section is indicated by the use of bold text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of 
existing material within a section.

TITLE 16. ECONOMIC REGULATION
PART I. Railroad Commission of Texas
CHAPTER 7.Gas Utilities Division
Substantive Rules
16 TAC sec.7.74
The Railroad Commission of Texas adopts new sec.7.74, relating to school piping 
testing, on an emergency basis. This emergency rule is effective immediately for 
no more than 120 days after filing with the secretary of state. 
New sec.7.74 is necessary to effectively implement the requirements of House 
Bill 1611 (H.B. 1611), enacted by the 75th legislature and effective June 20, 
1997. HB 1611 mandates biennial testing of piping in schools that operate year 
round, and requires the testing to be completed by July 1. Without this 
emergency rule which establishes procedures by which such inspections are to be 
conducted, there is an imminent peril to the public safety of students and 
personnel in such schools. The emergency rule requires operators that supply 
natural gas to public school districts, private schools, or parochial schools to 
receive notification regarding pressure testing performed by these schools and 
take action as further specified. 
The Commission does not simultaneously propose this new rule for adoption 
through regular rulemaking procedures. Rather, the Commission wishes to develop 
a permanent rule for adoption by working with operators and schools and giving 
them opportunity to comment. Drafting a proposal for permanent adoption will 
begin soon. 
The new section is adopted on an emergency basis under the Texas Civil Statutes, 
Article 6053-2a, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to 
pressure testing of school piping.

sec.7.74.School Piping Testing.
All operators that supply natural gas to public school districts, private 
schools, or parochial schools are required to receive notifications regarding 
pressure testing performed by these schools and take action as necessary.
(1) Testing. The testing shall be a pressure test or shut-in test to determine 
if the school piping in each school building where students may be present will 
hold at least normal operating pressure over a time interval of no less than two 
hours. If a municipal code is in effect regarding pressure testing, the testing 
performed under the municipal code will be accepted.
(2) Frequency. Operators are required to receive notice from the schools of 
their testing at two-year intervals. For year-round schools, notice is to be 
given by July 1 of the year the testing is performed. 
(3) Procedures. Operators are required to develop procedures for: 
(A) receiving notification from the school districts regarding location of 
facilities supplied with natural gas; 
(B) terminating service in the event that: 
(i) testing is not completed in the two-year time interval;
(ii) a hazardous leak is reported by the person conducting the testing; or 
(iii) a hazardous leak is reported by the school board of trustees.
(C) providing for special circumstances for: 
(i) receiving written notification from the school or school district that the 
school or school district is not able to perform tests before the beginning of 
the designated school year; and 
(ii) receiving notification from the Commission regarding noninterruption of 
service. 
(4) Records. All operators are required to maintain a listing of the schools 
that are supplied natural gas and the results of each test for at least two 
years. 
Issued in Austin, Texas, on June 24, 1997. 
TRD-9708218
Mary Ross McDonald
Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
Railroad Commission of Texas
Effective date: June 24, 1997
Expiration date: October 22, 1997
For further information, please call: (512) 463-7008