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.