BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2368

By: Allen

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 72nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1991, established a state goal to achieve by January 1, 1994, the recycling of at least 40 percent of the state's total municipal solid waste stream. Interested parties note that more than 20 years have passed and that the state needs to evaluate current waste disposal standards with respect to previous goals and to establish a new state goal. H.B. 2368 seeks to direct the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to convene an advisory committee to conduct a study regarding waste reduction in Texas.

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. 2368, in a temporary provision set to expire August 31, 2015, requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to convene an advisory committee established under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, requires TCEQ and the advisory committee to conduct a study regarding waste reduction in Texas, and sets out the requirements of the study. The bill requires the advisory committee to prepare a written report on the results of the study, submit the report to TCEQ, and collaborate with TCEQ to publish the study on TCEQ's Internet website. The bill requires TCEQ to use the report to reassess whether the source reduction and recycling goal established in statute is being achieved and how the goal might be updated and, based on the report, requires TCEQ to recommend to each entity that has adopted a solid waste management plan ways in which the entity can update the plan. The bill requires TCEQ, not later than December 1, 2014, to submit to specified recipients a report that includes the results of the study.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.