SRC-JLB H.B. 3030 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3030 78R12496 JTS-FBy: Van Arsdale (Lindsay) Natural Resources 5/14/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, when a public facility discovers its water supply is contaminated, the facility is required by law to notify those using the facility or its water resources of the contamination. However, no provision exists to provide notice to owners of nearby private water wells, who may also be affected by the same groundwater contamination. H.B. 3030 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality within 30 days of knowing about a contamination to notify by mail owners of private drinking water wells that may be contaminated. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in SECTION 1 (Section 26.408, Water Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter J, Chapter 26, Water Code, by adding Section 26.408, as follows: Sec. 26.408. NOTICE OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION. (a) Requires the state agency, if a state agency documents under Section 26.406(a) a case of groundwater contamination that may affect a drinking water well, to notify the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). (b) Requires TCEQ, not later than the 30th day after the date TCEQ receives notice under Subsection (a) or obtains independent knowledge of groundwater contamination, to make every effort to give notice of the contamination by first class mail to each owner of a private drinking water well that may be affected by the contamination and to each applicable groundwater conservation district. (c) Requires TCEQ by rule to prescribe the form and content of notice required under this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003. Makes application of this Act prospective.