BILL ANALYSIS H.C.R. 12 By: Talton 2-28-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandated the establishment of the Employer Trip Reduction (ETR) program in severe nonattainment areas of the country. The ETR program requires employers with 100 or more employees at a single work site to increase their employee's average passenger occupancy to match or exceed a target level set for the area in which the organization is located. The target rate is to be achieved by increasing average vehicle occupancy per vehicle in commuting trips between home and the workplace during peak travel periods. The burden of this plan is difficult for teachers and other school district employees, limiting their flexibility to stay late and work with students. The ETR program also increases costs for administration and other noneducational programs; these costs come out of school funding sources. School districts operate 183 days out of the 260 day work year; with their closed days falling during the summer when pollution levels are highest. PURPOSE HCR 12 urges Congress to amend the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 to exempt school districts from the ETR program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS Pursuant to Rule 4, §32(c), the committee does not consider that a section by section analysis is necessary. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HCR 12 was considered by the House Committee on Environmental Regulation in a public hearing on February 28, 1995. After the Chair laid out HCR 12 and recognized Rep. Talton to explain HCR 12, the following persons testified in favor of HCR 12: Nathaniel "Skip" Collins, representing himself and Channelview Independent School District. Carver Walker, representing Houston Independent School District. Merl Ashton, representing Alief Independent School District. Larry Hope, representing himself and Barbers Hill Independent School District. HCR 12 was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Calendars Committee, by a record vote of seven (7) ayes, no (0) nays, one (1) pnv, and one (1) absent.