BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 610

By: Zerwas

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is currently transitioning to paperless methods for disseminating material and presently sends information, including notices, orders, and decisions, both electronically and by mail.  A bill from a recent legislative session took a step toward paperless transmissions by encouraging TCEQ to use electronic means of delivery.

Currently, state senators and representatives receive all notices from each applicant in their districts requesting to obtain certain permits for an applicable facility.  C.S.H.B. 610 would take advantage of the capabilities already available to TCEQ for electronic delivery of any notice issued or sent by TCEQ to a state senator or representative, unless otherwise requested.

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

C.S.H.B. 610 amends the Water Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to utilize electronic means of transmission for any notice issued or sent by TCEQ to a state senator or representative, unless the senator or representative has requested to receive notice by mail. The bill makes nonsubstantive changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 610 contains a provision not in the original requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to utilize electronic means of transmission for any notice issued or sent by TCEQ to a state senator or representative, unless otherwise requested. The substitute omits a provision included in the original requiring the chief clerk of TCEQ to provide the notice of intent to obtain certain permits by electronic mail to the state senator and representative who represent the applicable general area, unless otherwise requested.