SRC-MWN H.B. 3483 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3483
77R10807 JJT-FBy: Ramsay (Sibley)
Natural Resources
5/7/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

To meet mandated air emission reduction standards, coal-fueled power plants
are looking to develop advanced coal utilization technologies. The United
States Congress has appropriated funds for the research, development, and
deployment of clean coal technologies, but there is no current statewide
initiative to study, develop, and encourage voluntary implementation of
these technologies. Clean coal technologies have the potential to be more
energy efficient and reliable than existing coal technologies and to
provide a substantial reduction in emissions compared with existing coal
technologies. H.B. 3483 creates the Clean Coal Technology Council to
coordinate actions of state agencies for the study and development of clean
coal technology and pilot projects in Texas.  

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 Title 3, Government Code, by adding Subtitle D, as
follows: 

SUBTITLE D.  LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES
CHAPTER 351.  CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Sec. 351.001.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; STATE POLICY. (a)  Sets forth
legislative findings. 

(b) Provides that it is the policy of this state that clean coal
technologies will be explored in order to achieve certain goals. 

Sec. 351.002. DEFINITIONS. Defines "council," "coal," "designated agency,"
and "pilot project." 

Sec. 351.003. CREATION AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL.
(a)  Provides that the Clean Coal Technology Council is created to perform
legislative oversight of, and to coordinate actions of state agencies
regarding, the study and development of clean coal technology and pilot
projects in this state. 

  (b)  Provides that the council is composed of certain persons.

Sec. 351.004.  ADMINISTRATION.  (a)  Provides that members of the council
serve two-year terms expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year and may
be reappointed for additional terms. 

(b)  Requires the council to meet at a frequency to be determined by the
council and at the call of the co-chairs. 
 
(c)  Authorizes the council to designate an appropriate state agency to
provide administrative support to the council.  Requires the designated
agency to provide, from its existing staff, the staff necessary to assist
the council in carrying out its responsibilities.  Authorizes the
designated agency to request and distribute federal funding for the use by
the council in carrying out its responsibilities. 

  (d)  Provides that the council is subject to Chapters 551, 552, and 2001.

Sec. 351.005.  POWERS, DUTIES, INFORMATION, AND REPORTS OF COUNCIL. (a)
Requires the council to perform certain procedures. 

(b)  Requires the designated agency to maintain a public file relating to
the council. 

(c)  Requires the designated agency to make available to the public a copy
of any council report provided to the legislature. 

SECTION 2.   Requires the Clean Coal Technology Council, nothwithstanding
Section 351.004(b), Government Code, as added by this Act, to meet not less
than once in each calendar quarter for the first year after its members are
appointed. 

SECTION 3.  Provides that the terms of the initial members of the Clean
Coal Technology Council expire February 1, 2003. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.