SRC-JRN S.B. 1782 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1782 By: Lindsay Intergovernmental Relations 4-17-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the disposal of municipal solid waste is regulated by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. Because the definition of "dead animals" is included in the definition of municipal solid waste, it may be a technical violation of the Health and Safety Code to bury dead animal carcass remains on the roadside or on other governmentally owned property. This bill authorizes local governments to dispose of animal carcasses by burial without a permit and requires the burial to be consistent with the protection of public health. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1782 authorizes local governments to dispose of animal carcasses by burial without a permit and requires the burial to be consistent with the protection of public health. 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 Chapter 361C, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 361.116, as follows: Sec. 361.116. DISPOSAL OF CARCASSES OF ANIMALS KILLED ON ROADWAYS. Authorizes counties and municipalities to dispose of the carcasses of animals killed on county or municipal roadways by burying the carcasses on property owned by the entity who is responsible for road maintenance, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter. Provides that no permit is required to dispose of animal carcasses on county or municipal property. Requires disposal to be conducted in a manner consistent with public health. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.