S.B. No. 471

AN ACT

relating to the investigation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain complaints.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 5.176, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) The commission is not required to investigate a complaint:

(1) that may be addressed during other commission activities; or

(2) that was filed by an individual when there is not a reasonable probability that the commission can substantiate the complaint and:

(A) the complaint is repetitious or redundant of other complaints concerning the same site investigated in the preceding 12 months that were not substantiated by the commission; or

(B) the complainant has filed in the preceding seven years at least five complaints that were not substantiated by the commission.

SECTION 2. Section 5.177(c), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The commission is not required to provide the information described in Subsection (a) or (b) to a complainant who:

(1) files an anonymous complaint;

(2) [or] provides inaccurate contact information; or

(3) files a complaint described by Section 5.176(c).

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a complaint filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 471 passed the Senate on April 27, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 9.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 471 passed the House on May 23, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 85, Nays 59, two present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

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Governor