S.B. 1378 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1378
By: Armbrister
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has
jurisdiction over discharge into underground injection wells.  S.B. 1378
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

S.B. 1378 amends 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 if the permit meets all statutory and regulatory
requirements for the issuance of a permit for a Class I injection well.
The bill establishes that the TCEQ shall provide for notice and comment
and provides that an application for a permit under this section is not
subject to hearing requirements under Chapter 2001, Government Code. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003