89R435 DRS-D
 
  By: Miles S.B. No. 492
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Task Force on Concrete Plants.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) The Task Force on Concrete Plants is
  established.
         (b)  The task force shall consult with experts on and study
  the effects of air and noise pollution caused by concrete batch and
  crushing plants in this state. After completing the study, the task
  force shall:
               (1)  develop recommendations for legislation to:
                     (A)  reduce air and noise pollution caused by
  concrete batch and crushing plants;
                     (B)  improve the processes for issuing permits for
  and inspecting concrete batch and crushing plants; and
                     (C)  improve enforcement of statutes and rules
  that apply to concrete batch and crushing plants; and
               (2)  identify best practices to reduce air and noise
  pollution caused by concrete batch and crushing plants.
         (c)  The task force is composed of the following members:
               (1)  two members of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (2)  two members of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (3)  the executive director of the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality or the executive director's designee; and
               (4)  seven members appointed by the governor as
  follows:
                     (A)  one member to represent concrete batch and
  crushing plant operators;
                     (B)  one member to represent an institution of
  higher education in the state who must have published research
  regarding environmental pollutants;
                     (C)  one member who is a toxicologist certified by
  the American Board of Toxicology or an equivalent entity;
                     (D)  one member who is a professional with
  experience in geographic information systems; and
                     (E)  three members to represent community
  organizations who each reside not more than five miles from a
  concrete batch or crushing plant.
         (d)  The governor shall designate one member of the task
  force to serve as the presiding officer.
         (e)  A member of the task force is not entitled to
  compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's
  travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code, and
  the General Appropriations Act.
         (f)  Not later than December 1, 2026, the task force shall:
               (1)  compile a report of its findings and
  recommendations; and
               (2)  submit the report to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.
         (g)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  task force.
         (h)  The task force is abolished and this Act expires on
  January 1, 2027.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker
  of the house of representatives shall appoint members to the Task
  Force on Concrete Plants as required by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2025.