SRC-MKV C.S.H.B. 3315 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 3315
By: Ramsay (Bernsen)
Natural Resources
5/10/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the commissioners court of a county is authorized to
prohibit certain outdoor burning activities in areas where drought
conditions exist if it is to the benefit of the public. The law provides
exceptions from the burn ban, but activities relating to planting
agriculture crops are not currently exempt. C.S.H.B. 3315 provides that
such activities are exempt from the burn ban, and requires the Prescribed
Burning Board to adopt standards and procedures regarding outdoor burning.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 240.906(f), Local Government Code, as added by
Chapter 1435, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to add
language to provide that this section does not apply to outdoor burning
activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for planting or harvesting
of agricultural crops or  to activities that are conducted by a prescribed
burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and
meets the standards of Section 153.047. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.