BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 933
                                                      By: Shapiro
                                                Natural Resources
                                                         05-05-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

The 72nd Legislature adopted a fee for the sale of lead-acid
batteries which is deposited in the hazardous and solid waste
remediation fee fund.  Proceeds from this fee generate about half
the fund's revenues, approximately $11 million annually.  None of
this money is used to promote battery recycling or to address the
impact of lead-acid battery recycling other than remediation.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 933 authorizes the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission to use money collected and deposited to the
credit of the hazardous and solid waste remediation fee fund for
expenses to cover the costs of programs for remediation; to promote
lead-acid battery recycling; and to mitigate the economic,
infrastructure, and environmental impact of lead-acid battery
recycling activities on local governments; and to encourage the
adoption of innovative technology in lead-acid battery recycling.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 361.133(c), Health and Safety Code, to
authorize the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
(commission) to use money collected and deposited to the credit of
the hazardous and solid waste remediation fee fund for certain
reasons, including expenses, not to exceed 20 percent annually of
the fees on batteries, including expenses for programs for
remediation, to promote lead-acid battery recycling, and to
mitigate the economic, infrastructure, and environmental impact of
lead-acid battery recycling activities on local governments,
provided that funds may be provided to pay for debt service only
for the part of a multiple use capital project that is related to
battery recycling during the time the project is used for battery
recycling; and to encourage the adoption of innovative technology
in lead-acid battery recycling.  Redesignates existing Subdivision
(5) as Subdivision (6).

SECTION 2. Requires the commission, during each fiscal year of the
biennium ending August 31, 1997, to allocate to battery-related
programs at least 10 percent of the fees on batteries collected
under Section 361.138, Health Code, and appropriated to the
commission.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.