SRC-JJJ H.B. 2597 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2597
76R9890 MXM-DBy: McReynolds (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/5/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) is
charged with enforcing the Texas Clean Air Act and adopting administrative
rules to regulate the quality if the state's air.  This includes the
regulation of airborne antimicrobial products.  H.B. 2597 would prohibit
TNRCC from adopting a rule that lessens the efficacy of a hospital or
medical disinfectant in killing or inactivating agents of an infectious
disease, including a rule restricting volatile organic compound content of
or emissions from disinfectants, except as specifically required to comply
with federal law or regulation. 
  
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2597 would establish conditions regarding emissions from
certain hospital or medical disinfectants. 

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 382B, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
382.0201, as follows: 

Sec. 382.0201.  PROHIBITION ON COMMISSION RULE RELATING TO EMISSIONS FROM
CERTAIN HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL DISINFECTANTS.  Defines "hospital or medical
disinfectant."  Prohibits the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission (TNRCC) from adopting a rule that lessens the efficacy of a
hospital or medical disinfectant in killing or inactivating  agents of an
infectious disease, including a rule restricting volatile organic compound
content of or emissions from the disinfectant, except as specifically
required to comply with federal law regulation. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.