BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 160 By: Kamel (Ratliff) Intergovernmental Relations 05-11-95 Senate Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND Current law allows the commissioners court of a county with a population of one million or more to adopt regulations to control the disposal of litter and the removal of illegally dumped litter from private property in unincorporated areas of the county. Before adopting the proposed regulations, the commissioners court is statutorily required to find that the regulations are necessary to promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the county. The regulations may require the record property owner to pay for the cost of removal after the commissioners court has given the property owner 30 days written notice to remove the illegally dumped litter. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 160 deletes the population requirement for counties authorized to adopt regulations to control the disposal of litter and removal of illegally dumped litter from private property in unincorporated areas of the county. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 365.017(a), Health and Safety Code, to delete the population requirement of a provision authorizing the commissioners court of a county to adopt regulations to control the disposal of litter and the removal of illegally dumped litter from private property in unincorporated areas of that county. Prohibits the commissioner's court from adopting regulations under this section concerning the disposal of recyclable materials as defined in Section 361, Health and Safety Code. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.