BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1500 By: Montford Natural Resources 05-03-95 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND The Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority has established a site in Hudspeth County to accept low-level radioactive waste from Maine and Vermont, who are members of the low-level radioactive waste compact. The waste must be transported through the state to reach the site. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1500 prohibits a person from prohibits a person from disposing low-level waste by incineration in counties with a certain population. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority under SECTION 1 (Section 402.2255(b), Health and Safety Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 402H, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 402.2255, as follows: Sec. 402.2255. INCINERATION OF LOW-LEVEL WASTE. (a) Prohibits a person from disposing of low-level waste by incineration in a county with a population of less than 3,000. (b) Requires the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority to adopt rules to enforce this section. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.