| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to expedited permitting and economic development; |
|
|
authorizing a surcharge. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 382, Health and Safety |
|
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0685 to read as follows: |
|
|
Section 382.0685. Expedited Permits. |
|
|
(a) The commission shall adopt a program to expedite the |
|
|
processing of permits, amendments, registrations, or variances. |
|
|
(b) The expedited permit program shall authorize the |
|
|
expedited processing of permits at the request of an applicant if |
|
|
the executive director determines that the project will benefit |
|
|
the local or state economy. |
|
|
(c) The commission may issue an expedited permit provided |
|
|
the application is found to meet all otherwise applicable federal |
|
|
requirements and all otherwise applicable statutory and regulatory |
|
|
requirements under this chapter, including notice and opportunity |
|
|
for comment or hearing. |
|
|
(d) The commission shall establish a surcharge on the |
|
|
standard permit application fee for an expedited permit |
|
|
application sufficient to cover all expenses associated with the |
|
|
expediting, including overtime, incentive pay, contract labor, and |
|
|
other costs. |
|
|
(e) The commission may elect to authorize the use of |
|
|
overtime, financial or other incentives, or contract labor in |
|
|
support of the expedited permitting program. Use of overtime, |
|
|
incentives, compensatory time, contract labor or other means shall |
|
|
not be used in the calculation of the commission's limit on the |
|
|
number of full time equivalent employees. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all 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. |