SRC-MWN S.B. 687 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 687 By: Brown, J. E. "Buster" Natural Resources 6/5/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Intentional unauthorized discharges from a point source are treated the same as unintentional unauthorized discharges. S.B. 687 enhances the penalties for intentional unauthorized discharges and creates a lesser offense for an unauthorized discharge. 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 Sections 7.145(a) and (b), Water Code, to provide that a person commits an offense if the person, acting intentionally or knowingly with respect to the person's conduct, discharges or allows the discharge of a waste or pollutant into or adjacent to water in the state that causes or threatens to cause water pollution unless the waste or pollutant is discharged in strict compliance with all required permits or with an order issued or a rule adopted by the appropriate regulatory agency; or from a point source in violation of Chapter 26 or of a rule, permit, or order of the appropriate regulatory agency. (b) Provides that an offense under this section is punishable for an individual under Section 7.187(1)(C) or Section 7.187(2)(F), rather than (D), or both. SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 7.146 (Discharge From a Point Source), Water Code. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.