SRC-AAA S.B. 1595 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1595
By: Ellis
Finance
4-4-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, small businesses are required to have pollution control
equipment.  Many small businesses are forced to purchase expensive
environmental pollution control equipment and conduct environmental
audits.  This bill would promote compliance with environmental regulations
by small businesses by providing loan guarantees for the purchase of
environmental pollution control equipment. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1595 would promote compliance with environmental
regulations by small businesses by providing loan guarantees for the
purchase of environmental pollution control equipment. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 382.0366(e), Health and Safety Code) of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
 
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 382B, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 382.0366. SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE FUNDING PROGRAM.
Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission)
to establish and operate the small business environmental compliance
funding program (program).  Sets forth the purpose of the program.
Provides that the small business environmental compliance fund (fund) is
an account in the general revenue fund in the state treasury.  Sets forth
the contents of the account.  Sets forth limits on fines and penalties
deposited into the account.  Sets forth uses for money in the account.
Requires loan guarantees to be administered by a contractor.  Requires the
commission to select the contractor in a certain manner.  Authorizes the
commission to contract with an entity to manage and administer loan
guarantees according to certain guidelines.  Sets forth requirements of
the contract.  Requires the commission to adopt rules with regard to the
fund.  Requires the program to be administered to achieve equitable
distribution of credit availability.  Requires the commission to issue a
report on the activities of the program.  Sets forth requirements of the
report. Defines "financial institution," "program," and "small business." 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.