79R4949 SGA-D

By:  Ellis                                                        S.B. No. 786



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a panel of experts to review the process 
of issuing permits under the Texas Clean Air Act.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  (a)  Not later than November 1, 2005, the 
executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 
shall appoint and convene a panel of nationally recognized experts 
to review the process of issuing, amending, and renewing permits of 
any type that regulate air pollution under Chapter 382, Health and 
Safety Code.
	(b)  The panel shall review:                                                   
		(1)  the standards and other matters considered by the 
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in the permit review 
process;
		(2)  the standards and other matters considered by the 
commission regarding the cumulative effects of other facilities and 
sources of pollution in the area; and
		(3)  the processes used and standards and other matters 
considered by other states to grant permits regulating air 
pollution.
	(c)  Not later than November 1, 2006, the panel shall submit 
to the executive director, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of 
the house of representatives, and the presiding officers of the 
standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with 
primary jurisdiction over air pollution a report that includes 
recommendations on ways to improve the process of issuing permits 
regulating air pollution.
	(d)  A panel member is not entitled to compensation for 
service on the panel or reimbursement for travel expenses incurred 
by the member while conducting panel business.
	(e)  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall 
provide the panel with staff and resources necessary to conduct the 
panel's business.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.