HBA-SEP H.B. 2403 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2403
By: Lewis, Ron
Natural Resources
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The United States Department of Energy recently published new energy
efficiency standards for clotheswashing machines (machines).  These federal
standards, however, do not address water efficiency.  In Texas, water
conservation has emerged as an important issue and machines that use water
inefficiently contribute to the problem. House Bill 2403 requires the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission to report to the legislature on
the water consumption factor of all clothes-washing machines that were
imported into this state during the preceding calendar year. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 372.004, Health and Safety Code) of this
bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2403 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas
Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), beginning in February,
2003, to report to the legislature not later than February 28 of each year
on the number of clothes-washing machines with a water consumption factor
of more than 11, more than 9.5 but not more than 11, and of 9.5 or less
that were imported into this state during the preceding calendar year and
report on the average water consumption factor of all clothes-washing
machines that were imported into this state during the preceding calendar
year.    TNRCC, beginning January 2003, shall by rule require appropriate
industry trade associations or other entities to provide the information to
TNRCC not later than January 31 each year.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.