SRC-TJG H.B. 1791 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1791 78R11365 SGA-FBy: Chisum (Armbrister) State Affairs 5/19/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law allows grease collected from commercial grease traps to be applied to compost. H.B. 1791 requires facilities that are composting grease trap waste to be permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in SECTION 2 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 361.428, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), as follows: (d) Prohibits a person from commercially composting grease trap waste, as defined by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), unless the person has first obtained a permit for composting grease trap waste issued by TCEQ under this section on or after September 1, 2003. (e) Requires the permit to compost grease trap waste to meet the minimum standards of a permit issued under rules adopted under Subsection (b). SECTION 2. (a) Requires TCEQ to take certain actions, including adopting any rules necessary for the implementation of this Act, not later than November 1, 2003, and to take other certain actions not later than January 1, 2004. (b) Provides that this Act does not prohibit a person who is engaged in the business of composting grease trap waste on the effective date of this Act from continuing to engage in that business if the person takes certain actions. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.