BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1845
88R8752 MP-D	By: Metcalf; Troxclair (Perry)
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	4/20/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Estimates put our state's water and wastewater plants will face 50 percent of the workforce leaving their field of expertise in the next ten years. We will face a void with lack of training of new water and wastewater system operators to take the place of retirees.

H.B. 1845  allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to create a provisional certification program so that high school students can work in a water and wastewater treatment facility under a license holder.

H.B. 1845 amends current law relating to the licensing requirements for certain operators of wastewater systems and public water systems.

[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as the successor agency to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.]

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 37.0045, Water Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 37, Water Code, by adding Section 37.0045, as follows:

Sec. 37.0045. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN LICENSES. (a) Provides that this section applies only to a Class D license for wastewater operators or public water system operators.

(b) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), in adopting educational attainment standards associated with the issuance of a license, by rule to establish a provisional certification program by which a person who does not possess a high school diploma or its equivalent is authorized to act as a provisional operator if the person:

(1) has completed all TNRCC-required training associated with the license;

(2) has passed any TNRCC-required examinations associated with the license; and

(3) acts under the direct supervision of a license holder.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.