SRC-SLL S.B. 321 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 321 By: Armbrister Natural Resources 2-5-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of less than 100,000 to take certain actions in regard to the transportation of waste. Fort Bend County is experiencing serious problems with illegal dumping in its rural areas and along the Brazos River. However, since the population is 304,000, the county commissioners lack the authority to regulate commercial waste haulers. This bill will authorize the commissioners court of a county with a population of 500,000, rather than 100,000, to take certain actions to regulate the dumping of waste. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 321 raises the minimum population requirement under which a commissioners court of a county may take certain actions in regard to the transportation of waste. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 368.012, Health and Safety Code, to authorize the commissioners court of a county with a population of less than 500,000, rather than 100,000, to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, by ordinance, by taking certain actions regarding the transportation of waste. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.