LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 28, 2009

TO:
Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB4056 by Allen (Relating to the establishment of a program for the collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal of mercury-added thermostats.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require manufacturers of thermostats containing mercury to establish programs which entail collection and recycling, education and outreach, collection incentives and education, and progress reports. The bill would also would add responsibilities for thermostat retailers and or wholesalers, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning contractors, and persons involved in building demolition. The bill would prohibit persons from selling or offering for sale thermostats manufactured by noncompliant manufacturers. The bill would require manufacturers to report certain information to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and to submit a survey plan and methodology and survey results. The TCEQ would be required to track compliance and post a list of noncompliant manufacturers. The agency would have authority to require manufacturers to conduct program revision, develop performance standards, and establish a methodology for estimating the number of out of service thermostats that become waste annually.

Assuming that investigations will take place only when complaints are received, passage of the bill is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the TCEQ. 


Local Government Impact

The bill could benefit local governmental entities by reducing wastes going to local landfills, since the bill would require manufacturers of mercury added thermostats to provide free collection and recycling or disposal of used mercury added thermostats to local governments with household hazardous waste collection facilities or events.


Source Agencies:
582 Commission on Environmental Quality
LBB Staff:
JOB, SD, TL