BILL ANALYSIS H.C.R. 24 By: Brimer February 16, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, all municipalities with populations of less than 100,000 must obtain a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for every stormwater discharge point in the city. This unfunded federal mandate on municipal stormwater discharges is a financial burden on cities, especially on small communities throughout Texas. The 102nd Congress of the United States previously addressed the issue of unfunded mandates by enacting legislation that provided a two-year moratorium on unfunded state and local mandates, including the municipal stormwater mandate. The 103rd Congress adjourned without extending the moratorium, thus triggering the municipal stormwater discharge permit requirement. PURPOSE HCR 24 will urge the United States Congress to amend the Water Pollution Control Act to exempt cities with population of less than 100,000 from obtaining permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for stormwater discharge points. 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 House Rule 4, Section 32 (c), the committee has determined that an analysis of the content of this legislation is not necessary. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on February 9, 1995, in accordance with House Rules, the House Committee on Environmental Regulation met in a public hearing on February 14, 1995, in Room E2.028. The Chair laid out HCR 24. The Chair recognized Lou Hamilton, the Environmental Services Manager for the City of Burleson, representing herself to testify for HCR 24. The Chair recognized Dwayne "Sparky" Anderson, representing Clean Water Action, to testify against HCR 24. The Chair recognized Representative Arlene Wohlgemuth to testify for HCR 24. By a record vote of seven ayes (7), no nays (0), no present not voting (0), and two absent (2), the committee voted to report HCR 24 to the House without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass.