BILL ANALYSIS
By: Anchia
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
At this time, Texas does not have a unified statewide strategy to promote the availability of clean burning automotive fuels. Factual gaps have prevented the state from fully examining alternative fuels and their potential to improve air quality - thus preventing the establishment of public policy to increase access to cleaner burning fuels.
HB 375 calls for the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to prepare a report regarding alternative fuels and a strategy for implementation of these fuels.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HB 375 requires SECO to prepare a report that includes a strategy and recommendations for increasing the availability of low-emission fuels to the citizens of Texas. The report must contain a list of recommended fuels, proposed mechanisms for increasing the availability of these fuels, an assessment of the costs and benefits of use, along with the proposed statutory changes needed to implement policy.
For each fuel they recommend, SECO is required to analyze the life cycle emissions for the fuel and determine how well the fuel achieves the goal of producing at least 20% less emissions over its life cycle than conventional gasoline.
The bill allows SECO to establish a task force to assist in developing these strategies and recommendations. The bill requires SECO to deliver a report to the legislature, the governor and the lieutenant governor by October 1, 2008.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.