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.