SRC-TBR S.B. 905 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 905 JJT-DBy: Shapleigh Business & Commerce 3/28/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, there are more than 400 brick-making kilns in Juarez, Mexico that are a significant source of air pollution for the El Paso-Juarez area. As proposed, S.B. 905 requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the brick-making process along the Texas-Mexico border. 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. DEFINITION. Defines "commission." SECTION 2. BRICK-MAKING PROCESSES STUDY. (a) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) 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 not later than January 1, 2003. SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2003. SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.