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.