SRC-TAG S.B. 1378 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1378
By: Armbrister
Natural Resources
4/16/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has
jurisdiction over discharge into underground injection wells in the state.
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

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality in SECTION 1 (Section 27.021, Water Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 27, Water Code, by adding Section
27.021, as follows:     
 
Sec. 27.021.  PERMIT FOR DISPOSAL OF BRINE FROM DESALINATION OPERATIONS IN
CLASS I WELLS.  (a)  Authorizes the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) to issue a permit to dispose of brine produced by a
desalination operation in a Class I injection well if the applicant for
the permit meets all the requirements for the issuance of a permit to
dispose of hazardous waste in a Class I injection well. 

(b)  Requires TCEQ  by rule to  provide for public notice and comment on
an application for a permit authorized by this section.   Provides that
an application for a permit authorized by this section is not subject to
the hearing requirements of Chapter 2001 (Administrative Procedure),
Government Code, notwithstanding Section 27.018 of this code.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.