83R5275 JAM-F
 
  By: Workman H.B. No. 2046
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study evaluating and making recommendations for
  wastewater management in the contributing zone of the Barton
  Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
               (2)  "Contributing zone of the Barton Springs segment
  of the Edwards Aquifer" means the area or watershed in that segment
  of the aquifer where runoff from precipitation flows downgradient
  to the recharge zone of that segment of the aquifer, as determined
  by the commission.
               (3)  "Wastewater management" means one or more
  wastewater collection, treatment, disposal, dispersal, or reuse
  methods or practices, regardless of whether those methods are
  on-site, centralized, decentralized, or integrated with other
  water treatment methods.
         SECTION 2.  STUDY. (a)  Subject to Section 4 of this Act, the
  commission shall conduct a study to evaluate:
               (1)  wastewater management in the contributing zone of
  the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer;
               (2)  the effects of wastewater management described by
  Subdivision (1) of this subsection on the watersheds of the Barton
  Springs complex, the contributing zone of the Barton Springs
  segment of the Edwards Aquifer, the recharge zone of the Edwards
  Aquifer, and the Edwards Aquifer;
               (3)  the effects of wastewater management described by
  Subdivision (1) of this subsection on designated uses of the
  receiving streams;
               (4)  the potential augmentation of potable groundwater
  supplies in the Edwards Aquifer; and
               (5)  the efficacy and costs of various treatment
  technologies, disposal methods, and best management practices that
  reliably achieve:
                     (A)  a level of effluent quality that:
                           (i)  meets the primary and secondary
  drinking water standards promulgated by the commission;
                           (ii)  does not contribute to adverse toxic
  effects on aquatic life in the receiving water;
                           (iii)  does not contribute to adverse toxic
  effects on human health resulting from the consumption of aquatic
  organisms or water from, or from water recreation in, the receiving
  water; and
                           (iv)  does not alter nutrient concentrations
  in the receiving water during non-storm conditions; and
                     (B)  an increase in the supply of water, including
  potable water, to users of groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer
  through appropriate protective technologies.
         (b)  In conducting the study, the commission shall solicit
  and consider information from the scientific and engineering
  community and other stakeholders.
         (c)  The commission may contract with any appropriate person
  to assist in conducting the study.
         SECTION 3.  REPORT. Not later than September 30, 2015, the
  commission shall make publicly available on its website a report of
  the findings and recommendations of the study conducted under this
  Act. In the report, the commission must include findings that
  address the study objectives described in Section 2(a)(5)(A) of
  this Act. The commission must include in the report
  recommendations, based on the findings, for:
               (1)  narrative and numeric criteria for discharge,
  dispersal, or reuse of wastewater that achieves the objectives of
  Section 2(a)(5)(A) of this Act; and
               (2)  wastewater management methods and practices that
  can be used to achieve the objectives of Section 2(a)(5)(A) of this
  Act and meet the criteria established in Subdivision (1) of this
  section.
         SECTION 4.  RULES TO IMPLEMENT.  (a)  Not later than March
  31, 2016, the commission shall develop proposed rules the
  commission considers appropriate to implement the findings and
  recommendations of the report and shall file notice of the proposed
  rules as provided by Section 2001.023, Government Code.
         (b)  A rule proposed under Subsection (a) of this section
  applies only to an action, including a filing of an application for
  a permit or permit amendment, taken on or after the effective date
  of the rule. An action taken before the effective date of a rule
  proposed under Subsection (a) of this section is governed by the law
  in effect at the time the action was taken, and an application for a
  permit or permit amendment must be approved or denied on the basis
  of the law in effect at the time the application is filed.
         SECTION 5.  FUNDING OF STUDY.  (a)  This Act does not make an
  appropriation. A provision in this Act that creates a new
  governmental program, creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new
  duty on a governmental entity is not mandatory during a fiscal
  period for which the legislature has not made a specific
  appropriation to implement the provision.  Gifts, grants, or
  donations may be accepted for the purpose of implementing this Act.
         (b)  All funding necessary for the implementation of this Act
  must be received by the commission and dedicated for that purpose
  not later than December 31, 2013.
         (c)  The commission shall determine the scope of the study
  based on the money available for the study under this section.
         SECTION 6.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires on the earlier of:
               (1)  the date the commission adopts rules proposed
  under Section 4 of this Act; or
               (2)  December 1, 2016.
         SECTION 7.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.