78R142 JTS-D

By:  Christian                                                    H.B. No. 168



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to enforcement actions initiated by the Texas Natural 
Resource Conservation Commission based on information received 
from a private individual.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 7.0025(a), Water Code, is amended to 
read as follows:    
	(a)  The commission may initiate an enforcement action on a 
matter under its jurisdiction under this code or the Health and 
Safety Code based on information it receives from a private 
individual if:
		(1)  that information, in the commission's judgment, is 
of sufficient value and credibility to warrant the initiation of an 
enforcement action; and
		(2)  the commission conducts an investigation that 
indicates an enforcement action is warranted.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies only to information regarding an environmental problem 
submitted to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission on 
or after that date. Information submitted before the effective date 
of this Act is covered by the law in effect on the date the 
information is submitted, and the former law is continued in effect 
for that purpose.