BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 1775
By: Jackson
03-21-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

The Texas Low-Level Waste Disposal Authority (authority) must
obtain a radioactive waste disposal license to dispose of low-level
radioactive waste.  Some have questioned whether there is a need
for the authority to also obtain a solid waste permit.

PURPOSE

HB 1775 clarifies that the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste
Disposal Authority does not have to obtain a solid waste permit to
dispose of low-level radioactive waste.  A low-level radioactive
waste disposal license is sufficient unless mixed waste is
involved.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 402.152, Health and Safety Code, by
adding subsection (f) which states that a low-level radioactive
waste disposal license authorizes the authority to dispose of low-level radioactive waste and that the authority is not required to
obtain a solid waste permit unless it proposes to dispose of mixed
waste.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3.     Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute is a Legislative Council draft of the original bill,
with minor language changes from the filed version that do not
affect the intent or meaning.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

HB 1775 was considered by the House Committee on Environmental
Regulation in a public hearing on March 14, 1995.  The following
persons testified against the bill:
     Erin Rogers, representing herself.
     K. Liza Lovbe, representing herself.
     Maria S. Lamon, representing herself.
     David Frederick, representing Sierra Blanca Legal Defense
Fund.
     Les Breeding, representing the Fund for Nuclear
Responsibility.
     Tashubi, representing herself.
     Hart Gipson, representing himself.
The following person testified neutrally on the bill:
     Lee Matthews, representing the Texas Low-Level Radioactive
Waste Disposal Authority
Without objection the chair left HB 1775 pending business.

HB 1775 was considered by the House Committee on Environmental
Regulation in a public hearing on March 21, 1995.  The committee
considered a complete substitute for the bill.  The substitute was
adopted without objection and HB 1775 was reported favorably as
substituted with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed
by a record vote of five (5) ayes, no (0) nays, one (1) pnv, and
three (3) absent.