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.