BILL ANALYSIS


                                                     C.S.H.B. 283
                                      By: Cuellar, H. (Zaffirini)
                                                            Water
                                                       05-26-95
                            Senate Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND

Environmental problems on the Texas-Mexico border may be more
severe than in other areas of Texas, in part because of the influx
of pollution from Mexico. As a result, the physical appearance and
biological quality of the Rio Grande may be more threatened than
other areas of the state.

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 283 provides for the powers and duties of
certain constables to enforce environmental laws affecting the Rio
Grande.

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 Chapter 86, Local Government Code, by adding
Subchapter D, as follows:

   SUBCHAPTER D. POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL
                    PROTECTION OF RIO GRANDE

     Sec. 86.041. LEGISLATIVE FINDING. Provides that the
     legislature finds that ensuring a high standard of
     environmental quality for the Rio Grande is a matter of
     concern to the entire state.
     
     Sec. 86.042. COUNTY SUBJECT TO SUBCHAPTER. Sets forth counties
     to which this subchapter applies.
     
     Sec. 86.043. ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING OF COUNTY CONSTABLES. (a)
     Authorizes the commissioners court of the county to authorize
     a constable and the constable's deputies to seek environmental
     training from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
     Commission (TNRCC).
     
     (b) Requires TNRCC, at a minimum, to design and certify the
       training to familiarize constables and deputies with the
       investigation of environmental violations. Authorizes TNRCC
       to assess a fee against a county that authorizes training
       under this section to recover the cost of the training.
     SECTION 2.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.