BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2230

By: Larson

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties report that an inland desalination operation produces nonhazardous desalination concentrate, also known as brine, which requires disposal. The parties report that the drinking water treatment process also produces nonhazardous residuals for disposal. The parties express concern that disposing of these nonhazardous substances in new Class V injection wells can be very costly and time consuming, especially considering that there are thousands of existing Class II injection wells throughout the state that could be used for this purpose.
H.B. 2230 seeks to address this concern by providing for dual authorization of certain injection wells.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Railroad Commission of Texas in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2230 amends the Water Code to authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to authorize by individual permit, by general permit, or by rule a Class V injection well for the injection of nonhazardous brine from a desalination operation or nonhazardous drinking water treatment residuals into a Class II injection well that is also permitted by the Railroad Commission of Texas under statutory provisions relating to oil and gas waste and injection wells. The bill requires TCEQ and the railroad commission by rule to enter or amend a memorandum of understanding to implement and administer the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.