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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an expedited permit program for permits issued by the |
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Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 5, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 5.136 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 5.136. EXPEDITED PERMIT PROGRAM. (a) The commission |
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by rule shall create a program for the expedited issuance and |
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renewal of all permits issued by the commission other than permits |
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by rule, general permits, or standard permits. |
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(b) Rules adopted under this section shall: |
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(1) allow for public comments to be submitted only |
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online; |
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(2) require an applicant for an expedited permit or |
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permit renewal to pay a fee in an amount not more than twice the fee |
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required for a nonexpedited permit or permit renewal of the same |
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type; and |
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(3) require the commission to grant or deny an |
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expedited permit or permit renewal not later than the 60th day after |
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the date the permit or permit renewal application is received by the |
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commission. |
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(c) The commission may waive the requirement in Subsection |
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(b)(3) on a majority vote of the commission after notice and a |
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public hearing as provided by commission rule. |
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(d) If federal regulations prevent compliance with |
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Subsection (b)(3), the commission shall: |
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(1) clearly and publicly identify the relevant federal |
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regulation that prevents compliance; and |
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(2) if possible, apply for a waiver that would allow |
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compliance. |
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SECTION 2. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
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shall adopt rules to establish an expedited permit program as |
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required by Section 5.136, Water Code, as added by this Act, as soon |
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as practicable after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |