SRC-EPT, TBR S.B. 749 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 749 By: Shapleigh Business & Commerce 6/14/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) does not have the authority to participate in environmental projects in Mexico. S.B. 749 gives the commission the authority to participate in environmental projects in Mexico and to study means to reduce air pollutants in certain facilities in the border region. 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 Chapter 5D, Water Code, by adding Section 5.127, as follows: Sec. 5.127. ACTIONS IN MEXICO. Authorizes the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) to take and finance any action in Mexico, in cooperation with governmental authorities of Mexico, that in the opinion of the commission is necessary or convenient to accomplish a duty of the commission imposed by law and will yield benefits to the environment in this state. SECTION 2. (a) Requires the commission , in cooperation with the Joint Advisory Committee for Improvement of Air Quality, to conduct a study of the brick-making processes of brick production facilities near both sides of the border between this state and Mexico. (b) Requires the commission to survey current fuel sources for kilns, including the use of scrap wood and sawdust, tires, and other inefficient or highly polluting fuels. (c) Requires the commission, in conducting the study, to solicit the advice of experts from institutions of higher education, government, and industry of the United States and Mexico on efficient processes and fuels for maintaining proper temperatures for brick production while minimizing emissions of air pollutants. (d) Requires the commission to consider the information collected in the study and make recommendations on efficient processes to decrease air pollutant emissions from brick-making kilns. (e) Requires the commission to issue a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives that summarizes the information gathered in and conclusions of the study and that highlights the recommendations. Requires the report to be issued by January 1, 2003. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.