ACG H.B. 1960 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
H.B. 1960
By: Howard
3-11-97
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND 

The Pollution Prevention Council (PPC) was established by statute in 1991
to promote the coordination of pollution prevention programs administered
by the Texas Water Commission (TWC), the Texas Air Control Board (TACB),
Texas Department of Health (TDH) and the Railroad Commission of Texas
(RRC). However, after the consolidation of the TWC and the TACB into the
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), and the transfer
of the majority of environmental programs from TDH to TNRCC, the remaining
agencies involved are the TNRCC and the RRC. 

The PPC continues to meet quarterly, though the entity has discovered no
discrepancies in the program administration between the TNRCC and the RRC
in the past two years. Additionally, the two agencies have a memorandum of
understanding which serves the same purpose as the PPC. Moreover, the
TNRCC currently coordinates pollution prevention assistance projects with
other state agencies independent of the PPC. 

PURPOSE

HB 1960 will abolish the Pollution Prevention Council.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 361, Health and Safety Code, Section 361.0215(b)
by deleting  statutory references to the Pollution Prevention Council, and
renumbering the remaining sections accordingly. 

SECTION 2. Repeals Chapter 361, Health and Safety Code, Section 361.0211
which established the Pollution Prevention Council. 

SECTION 3.Emergency Clause.