SRC-PNG H.B. 1574 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1574
76R10978 MXM-FBy: Bosse (Brown)
Natural Resources
5/3/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

A number of older residential subdivisions in Harris County were developed
with lots insufficient in size to accommodate individual water and
wastewater disposal facilities.  These subdivisions are mostly in areas
where septic systems are not feasible and a public sewer is unavailable.
Households within these subdivisions are currently discharging their
untreated sewage into roadside ditches or culverts, causing a public health
hazard to the community.  This bill would authorize a county of 2.8 million
or more to authorize the discharge of treated sewage into or adjacent to
water in this state by small, inexpensive land aerobic systems meeting
certain criteria. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1574 authorizes a county of 2.8 million or more to
authorize the discharge of treated sewage into or adjacent to water in this
state by small, inexpensive land aerobic systems meeting certain criteria. 

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 26B, Water Code, by adding Section 26.0405, as
follows: 

Sec.  26.0405.  GENERAL PERMITS FOR CERTAIN SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL
SYSTEMS.  (a) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
(TNRCC), to the extent not in conflict with state water quality standards
or federal law, to issue one or more general permits for the discharge of
treated sewage into or adjacent to water in this state by a sewage
treatment and disposal system that meets certain criteria. 

(b) Provides that a person who discharges under a permit issued under this
section is not required to hold a certificate of competency issued under
Section 26.0301, Water Code. 

(c) Requires TNRCC to specify the design, operation, and maintenance
requirements and establish the primary and secondary treatment requirements
for a permit issued under this section. 

(d) Provides that a system for which a permit is issued under this section
is subject to design criteria established under Chapter 366, Health and
Safety Code, and is not subject to design criteria established under
Section 26.034. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.