BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 905

By: Perry

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During the drought of 2011 to 2013, many communities reported challenges as their water supplies dwindled. Some communities, including the City of Wichita Falls, have since responded by implementing direct potable reuse projects to facilitate the adequate supply of water. However, there have been reported difficulties in the implementation of such projects due to a lack of guidance by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). S.B. 905 seeks to address this issue by requiring TCEQ to develop a regulatory guidance manual regarding rules on direct potable reuse.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 905 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop and make publicly available a regulatory guidance manual to explain TCEQ rules that apply to direct potable reuse, defined by the bill as the introduction of treated reclaimed municipal wastewater either directly into a public water system or into a raw water supply immediately before the water enters a drinking water treatment plant.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.