S.B. No. 750
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to a review and analysis of the process by which agencies
    1-2  issue permits for business enterprises.
    1-3        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-4        SECTION 1.  Section 481.123, Government Code, is amended to
    1-5  read as follows:
    1-6        Sec. 481.123.  DUTIES.  The office shall:
    1-7              (1)  provide comprehensive information on permits
    1-8  required for business enterprises in the state and make that
    1-9  information available to applicants and other persons;
   1-10              (2)  assist applicants in obtaining timely and
   1-11  efficient permit review and in resolving issues arising from the
   1-12  review;
   1-13              (3)  facilitate contacts between applicants and state
   1-14  agencies responsible for processing and reviewing permit
   1-15  applications;
   1-16              (4)  assist applicants in the resolution of outstanding
   1-17  issues identified by state agencies, including delays experienced
   1-18  in permit review;
   1-19              (5)  develop comprehensive application procedures to
   1-20  expedite the permit process;
   1-21              (6)  compile a comprehensive list of all permits
   1-22  required of a person desiring to establish, operate, or expand a
   1-23  business enterprise in the state;
    2-1              (7)  encourage and facilitate the participation of
    2-2  federal and local government agencies in permit coordination;
    2-3              (8)  make recommendations for eliminating,
    2-4  consolidating, simplifying, expediting, or otherwise improving
    2-5  permit procedures affecting business enterprises by requesting that
    2-6  the state auditor, with the advice and support of the office,
    2-7  initiate a business permit reengineering review process involving
    2-8  all state agencies;
    2-9              (9)  develop and implement an outreach program to
   2-10  publicize and make small business entrepreneurs and others aware of
   2-11  services provided by the office; <and>
   2-12              (10)  adopt rules, procedures, instructions, and forms
   2-13  required to carry out the functions, powers, and duties of the
   2-14  office under this subchapter; and
   2-15              (11)  except as provided in Section 481.129, complete
   2-16  the implementation of the business permit review process on or
   2-17  before September 1, 1994, and provide all recommended statutory
   2-18  changes as needed to the legislature on or before January 1, 1995.
   2-19        SECTION 2.  Subchapter G, Chapter 481, Government Code, is
   2-20  amended by adding Section 481.129 to read as follows:
   2-21        Sec. 481.129.  ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS.  The office shall
   2-22  consult and cooperate with the Natural Resource Conservation
   2-23  Commission in conducting any studies on permits issued by the
   2-24  Natural Resource Conservation Commission.  The Natural Resource
   2-25  Conservation Commission shall cooperate fully in the study and
    3-1  analysis of the procedures involving the issuance of permits by
    3-2  that commission and shall, in any report issued, evaluate all
    3-3  alternatives for improving the process pursuant to the office's
    3-4  responsibilities under Section 481.123.  The office and the Natural
    3-5  Resource Conservation Commission shall jointly submit any report
    3-6  required under Section 481.123.
    3-7        SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1993.
    3-8        SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
    3-9  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   3-10  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   3-11  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   3-12  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.