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.