Honorable Allan Ritter, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3412 by Darby (Relating to regulation of the management and disposal of certain drinking water treatment residuals through underground injection.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would add requirements for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) by rule to provide for the expedited processing of applications for radioactive material licenses for the disposal of residuals containing naturally-occurring radioactive material (NORM) and derived from the treatment of groundwater for drinking water purposes. The bill would also add requirements that TCEQ by rule provide for expedited processing of applications for injection permits for disposal into a bedded salt formation of residuals derived from the treatment of groundwater for drinking water purposes. In addition, the bill would allow a person to whom an injection well permit is issued to demonstrate financial responsibility to the TCEQ with compatible financial security that has already been issued to satisfy Railroad Commission (RRC) requirements.
The bill would require that upon enactment, the Department of State Health Services, TCEQ, and RRC undertake all efforts necessary to efficiently implement the Act while providing for preservation of groundwater quality and protection of human health and safety. Any costs to the state agencies involved in implementing the bill's provisions are not expected to be significant and could be absorbed using existing agency resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
455 Railroad Commission, 537 State Health Services, Department of, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality