SRC-MAX S.B. 1954 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1954
By: Brown
Natural Resources
5-13-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas has a ban on disposing of used oil filters in landfills.
The existing regulations require that a person storing more than 165
gallons of used oil filters on site must register as a storage facility.
There are concerns that storage facility regulations are not appropriate
for generators and collectors of used oil filters.  This bill grants
specific authority to generators and collectors of used oil filters to
maintain up to 330 gallons of used oil filters on site without approval
from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and without the
need to register as a storage facility. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1954 sets forth provisions regarding the regulation of
used oil filters. 

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 371, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subchapter E, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER E.  HANDLING OF USED OIL FILTERS

Sec.  371.081.  USED OIL FILTER GENERATORS AND COLLECTORS.  Prohibits a
person from generating, collecting, transporting, processing, or recycling
a used oil filter in a manner that endangers or damages the public health
or welfare, or the environment or intentionally or knowingly places a used
oil filter containing oil on land.  Authorizes a used oil filter generator
to store used oil filters on-site in containers that do not in the
aggregate have a volume of more than 330 gallons without commission
approval.  Authorizes a used oil filter collector to store used oil
filters on site in containers that do not in the aggregate have a volume
of more than 330 gallons without commission approval.  Requires the
containers to be used in accordance with Subsections (b) and (c) of this
subchapter to be securely closed, waterproof, nonleaking, in good
condition and labeled "Used Oil Filters." Requires a person to remove from
service, or repair, any container used for storage of used oil filters
that is found to be leaking or in poor condition. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.