HBA-SEP, AMW H.B. 525 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 525
By: Bailey
Environmental Regulation
3/1/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Not only does current law abolish the On-site Wastewater Treatment Research
Council (council) as of September 1, 2001, but it does not specifically
provide for grants for applied research or projects intended to improve
residential, on-site wastewater treatment in small communities.  House Bill
525 extends the council for an additional eight years and authorizes the
council to award competitive grants for applied research and demonstration
projects that include the improvement or provision of on-site wastewater
treatment at more than one residential site.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the On-site Wastewater Treatment
Research Council in SECTION 2 (Section 367.0085, Health and Safety Code) of
this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 525 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the On-site
Wastewater Treatment Research Council (council) to award competitive grants
for applied research and demonstration projects that include the
improvement or provision of on-site wastewater treatment at more than one
residential site. The bill specifies that such a grant is available only
for a project located in an incorporated or unincorporated area in which
there are not more than 100 residential lots and those residential lots are
being served by failing on-site wastewater treatment systems.  The bill
requires the council by rule to adopt eligibility requirements for such
grants, including the maximum number of residential sites that may be
included in a project.  The bill extends the date for the abolishment of
the council from September 1, 2001, to September 1, 2009. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.