BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                               C.S.S.B. 1757

81R22305 SMH-D                                                                                                          By: Watson

                                                                                                                               Natural Resources

                                                                                                                                            4/15/2009

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly finding their way into our drinking water supply.  Because of improved technology, chemists are able to identify compounds and metabolites in water, often at levels of parts-per-trillion, and are recognizing emerging contaminates.  Currently, guidelines of some health care agencies and hospitals call for disposing of drugs by using the waste water system when they are no longer needed; this is also a common practice for individuals.  Typical wastewater treatment does not completely destroy or remove these products, so they pass through treatment plants and into lakes or rivers that may be sources of drinking water downstream.

 

C.S.S.B. 1757 mandates a study by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of methods for disposing of unused pharmaceuticals so that they do not enter a wastewater system.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  (a) Defines "commission."

 

(b) Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to study and make recommendations regarding the methods to be used by consumers, health care providers, and others for disposing of unused pharmaceuticals so they do not enter a wastewater system.  Requires TCEQ, in conducting the study, to consider certain methods and effects.

 

(c) Authorizes TCEQ, in conducting the study, to solicit input from certain entities.

 

(d) Requires TCEQ, not later than December 1, 2010, to submit a report of the results of the study to the legislature.  Requires that the report include TCEQ's recommendations regarding the methods to be used by consumers, health care providers, and others for disposing of unused pharmaceuticals so that they do not enter a wastewater system and an analysis of the feasibility of implementing the recommended disposal methods on a statewide basis.

 

(e) Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2011.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.