BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2551

By: Chisum

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the hydrocarbon-laden solids from grit traps may be mixed with municipal sludge and applied to land under the classification of recycling, allowing processors to avoid the costs of disposal at a landfill while potentially avoiding the requirement to obtain a permit for their waste processing activities.  State law governing these activities lacks standards for determining whether these types of activities are in fact recycling.  The purpose of H.B. 2551 is to require a person who wants to avoid obtaining a waste processing permit or avoid paying the cost of proper disposal of grit trap waste to provide scientific evidence demonstrating that the application of the waste to the soil has agronomic value and does not harm the environment.

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

H.B. 2551 amends the Health and Safety Code to limit the circumstances under which land application of grit trap waste, alone or in combination with other waste streams, is considered recovery, recycling, or reuse for permitting purposes to circumstances in which the grit trap waste includes no hazardous substance; all of the chemical components of the grit trap waste solids will have a beneficial effect on the soil or crops on which the waste is applied; none of the chemical components of the grit trap waste solids and associated liquids will have a negative effect on the soil or crops on which the waste is applied; and the application volumes of the grit trap waste solids will not exceed the agronomic application rate for any chemical component of the waste.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.