SRC-SEW S.B. 828 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 828
By: Lindsay
Natural Resources
4/11/2001
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1987, the Texas On-site Water Treatment Research Council (council) was
created to address such problems as possible ground and surface water
pollution caused by septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment and
disposal systems.  Currently the council, which is due to be abolished in
September 2001 unless continued by the legislature according to the
recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission, performs research that
evaluates the performance of on-site wastewater systems.  The council also
funds projects that use new technologies and systems in order to lower
costs, decrease maintenance, and prevent pollution in environmentally
sensitive areas.  C.S.S.B. 828 continues the council for another two years
and authorizes the council to award competitive grants for certain research
and projects to certain areas being served by failing on-site wastewater
treatment systems.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the On-site Wastewater
Treatment Research Council (council) in SECTION 2 (Section 367.0085, Health
and Safety Code) 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 367.003(a), Health and Safety Code, to provide
that the On-site Wastewater Treatment Research Council (council) is subject
to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Provides that, unless continued in
existence as provided by that chapter, the council is abolished and this
subtitle expires September 1, 2003. 

[note: the committee amendment contains an error referencing "the
commission" rather than "the council."  The correct reference to "the
council" has been used in this analysis.] 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 367, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
367.0085, as follows: 

Sec. 367.0085.  SMALL COMMUNITY GRANTS.  (a) Authorizes the council to
award competitive grants under Section 367.008(b) for applied research and
demonstration projects described by that section that include the
improvement or provision of on-site wastewater treatment at more than one
residential site. 

(b) Provides that a grant authorized by this section is available only for
a project located in an incorporated or unincorporated area which meets
certain requirements. 

(c) Requires the council by rule to adopt eligibility requirements for
grants authorized by this section, including the maximum number of
residential sites that may be included in a project. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.

 SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Omits original SECTION 1 and amends Section 367.003(a), Health
and Safety Code, to provide that the On-site Wastewater Treatment Research
Council (council) is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act) and to
provides that, unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter,
the council is abolished and this subtitle expires September 1, 2003. 

[note: the committee amendment contains an error referencing "the
commission" rather than "the council."  The correct reference to "the
council" has been used in this analysis.] 

SECTION 2 and 3.  No changes in text.