80R2765 SGA-D
 
  By: Anchia H.B. No. 375
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a state strategy for increasing the
availability of low-emission automotive fuels for Texas drivers.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  (a)  The State Energy Conservation Office shall
prepare a report that provides a coherent strategy for and
recommends mechanisms for increasing the availability of
low-emission automotive fuels.  The report must include:
             (1)  a list of recommended fuels;
             (2)  proposed mechanisms for increasing the
availability of the fuels recommended under Subdivision (1) of this
subsection to the majority of Texas drivers by 2010, including:
                   (A)  rebates for retrofitting vehicles to make
them compatible with the recommended fuels, if necessary;
                   (B)  procurement agreements by municipalities and
state agencies to purchase vehicles that are compatible with the
recommended fuels; and
                   (C)  market incentives to producers and
distributors of the recommended fuels;
             (3)  an assessment of:
                   (A)  the anticipated effects on ground-level
ozone levels in urban areas as a result of using the recommended
fuels;
                   (B)  the cost to the state to implement the
mechanisms proposed under Subdivision (2) of this subsection;
                   (C)  the possible benefits to the state in reduced
health care costs that may result from using the recommended fuels;
                   (D)  the number of new jobs expected to be created
in this state that may result from using the recommended fuels;
                   (E)  projected costs to Texas consumers of using
the recommended fuels;
                   (F)  the anticipated effect on state revenue as a
result of new economic activity related to the production,
distribution, and use of the recommended fuels; and
                   (G)  the net reduction of emissions projected to
result from using the recommended fuels; and
             (4)  any statutory changes needed to implement the
strategy or a recommended mechanism.
       (b)  For each fuel in the list of fuels recommended under
this section, the State Energy Conservation Office shall include an
analysis of the life cycle emissions for the fuel and a
determination of how well the fuel achieves the goal of producing at
least 20 percent less emissions over its life cycle than
conventional gasoline. The life cycle of a fuel includes emissions
that occur in the production of the fuel. If part of the fuel's
production process includes carbon capture and storage, also known
as carbon sequestration, the resulting reduction in carbon dioxide
emissions is included in computing the life cycle emissions for the
fuel.
       SECTION 2.  (a)  The State Energy Conservation Office may
establish a task force to assist in developing the strategy and
recommendations required by this Act.
       (b)  Not later than October 1, 2008, the State Energy
Conservation Office shall deliver the report required by this Act
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house
of representatives, and the standing committees of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over environmental, economic, and
transportation matters.
       SECTION 3.  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, 2007.