C.S.H.B. 2567 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2567 By: Geren Natural Resources Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has jurisdiction over discharge into underground injection wells in the state. C.S.H.B. 2567 establishes provisions that streamline permitting procedures for the disposal of brine from desalination operations under a Class I injection well. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in SECTION 1(Section 27.021, Water Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2567 amends Subchapter B, Chapter 27, Water Code, by adding a provision to clarify that permits for disposal of brine from desalination operations may be issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) under a Class I injection well. The bill establishes that the TCEQ by rule shall provide for public notice and comment on an application issued under this section. Further, not withstanding Sec. 27.018, an application under this section is not subject to hearing requirements under Chapter 2001, Government Code. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 2567 is a legislative council draft of the original bill as filed, and the change clarifies that the "permit meets all statutory and regulatory requirements" and not just "all requirements." Finally, the substitute removes language to clarify that brine is not considered to be hazardous waste.