The House Committee on Environmental Regulation

84th Legislature

May 23, 2016

10:00 a.m.

E1.026

Pursuant to a notice posted on May 5, 2016, the House Committee on Environmental Regulation met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Morrison, at 10:18 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Morrison; Isaac; Kacal; King, Ken; King, Phil; Lozano; and Thompson, Ed.

A quorum was present.

The Committee convened to hear invited testimony on Interim Charge #1, to review the varied regulatory schemes for household hazardous waste disposal and recommend if more uniform guidelines could improve legal disposal habits. Determine any opportunities or incentives for consumers and retailers that would promote proper hazardous waste disposal in a cost-effective manner.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The Committee also heard invited testimony on Interim Charge #4, to study the effectiveness of current state programs to address scrap tire management and disposal methods, including the incidence of scrap tires and rubber debris on roadways and in watercourses. Include analysis of disposal fee collection and management as well as local funding allocations. Provide incentive or enforcement recommendations for ongoing clean-up efforts, abatement of identified tire dump sites, and means of ensuring accurate record keeping and reporting.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Rodriguez, Eddie now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Rodriguez, Eddie in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Morrison in chair.)

The Committee finally heard invited testimony on Interim Charge #5, to conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should:

a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens;

b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate;

c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner;

d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs; and

e. monitor implementation of major environmental regulation legislation passed by the 84th Legislature, including recent reforms that provide for streamlined environmental permitting.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 12:11 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Morrison, Chair

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Peter Salatich, Clerk