SRC-SLL S.B. 1224 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1224 By: Brown Natural Resources 4-15-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the law does not provide for consolidated permit processing by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). Prior to 1993, certain facilities needing more than one environmental permit could obtain all necessary authorizations through one stop permitting. The sections of the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act permitting one-stop permitting were repealed by the bill which consolidated the Texas Air Control Board and the Texas Water Commission into the TNRCC. This has led to confusion as to TNRCC's authority to issue consolidated permits. This bill will provide regulations for consolidated permit processing by the TNRCC. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1224 provides regulations for consolidated permit processing by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission in SECTION 1 (Sections 5.355(b) and 5.356, Water Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 5, Water Code, by adding Subchapter I, as follows: SUBCHAPTER I. CONSOLIDATED PERMIT PROCESSING Sec. 5.351. CONSOLIDATED PERMIT PROCESSING. Sets forth procedures to be followed for issuing one consolidated permit to a plant, facility, or site that is required to have more than one permit issued by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). Prohibits a federal operating permit governed by the requirements of Sections 382.054-382.0543, Health and Safety Code, from being consolidated with other permits under this subchapter. Sec. 5.352. REQUEST FOR SEPARATE PROCESSING. Authorizes an applicant, at any time before the public notice of the opportunity to request a hearing on a permit application, to request that consolidated applications be processed separately. Sets forth procedures for processing applications separately. Sec. 5.353. RENEWAL PERIOD FOR CONSOLIDATED PERMIT. Sets forth the renewal period for a consolidated permit. Sec. 5.354. RENEWAL OF EXISTING PERMITS. Authorizes a permit issued before and effective on September 1, 1997, that authorizes more than one permit program to be renewed, amended, or modified as a consolidated permit or to be separated by program and the permits to be processed separately and subject to the renewal, amendment, or modification requirements of applicable law governing operations at the facility, plant, or site. Sec. 5.355. FEES. Requires the fee for a consolidated permit, except as provided by Subsection (b), to be computed as if the permits consolidated had been processed separately. Authorizes TNRCC, by rule, to reduce the fee for a consolidated permit below the total amount that the applicant would have paid for processing the applications separately if TNRCC finds that consolidated processing results in savings to the agency. Sec. 5.356. RULES. Authorizes TNRCC to adopt rules to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter, including rules providing for certain notices and procedures. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.