BILL ANALYSIS Environmental Regulation Committee By: Jackson 03-14-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority (GCA) was originally created in 1969 to help provide a regional water quality management program along the Gulf Coast area. The GCA has 9 directors, 3 of whom are appointed by the governor, and 6 of whom are selected by member counties. GCA's wastewater treatment facilities were designed to treat industrial wastewaters, but at the state's request have been expanded through the years to provide treatment for municipal wastewater. GCA also operates a regional solid waste disposal facility. Because of increasing environmental regulation and heightened awareness of director responsibilities, the GCA directors have become more and more active through the years since the GCA was created. The original (and current) limitation on compensation of directors was a per diem for up to 48 days each year. However, because of the expanded activities, some directors have recently spent over 48 days in a calendar year on GCA work. Because of the existing restriction, these directors must choose between completing their duties and being compensated for the time they spend on GCA work. GCA is funded by the entities that use its services. It receives no state tax dollars, so any increase in director compensation will have no direct effect on state revenues. PURPOSE HB 2050 will delete the current 48-day limitation on director compensation in a calendar year so that, on occasions when directors spend more than 48 days a year on GCA business, they will be able to receive a per diem for those activities. 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 2.10, Chapter 409, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969, as follows: Sec. 201 Changes make the language gender neutral and the 48 day limitation on a director's receipt of a per diem is deleted; language changes allows a director compensation for (1) attending meetings of the board; or (2) attending business of the authority if authorized by the board. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HB 2050 was considered by the House Committee on Environmental Regulation in a public hearing on March 14, 1995. The following person testified in favor of the bill: R. Kinnan Goleman, representing the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority. HB 2050 was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of eight (8) ayes, no (0) nays, no (0) pnv, one (1) absent.