BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3482

By: Hinojosa, Gina

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that many cities have adopted single-use retail bag ordinances for a variety of reasons and contend that current law needs to be clarified so that the law is not interpreted to preempt those ordinances. H.B. 3482 seeks to provide that clarification.

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 this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3482 amends the Health and Safety Code to clarify that "package or container," for purposes of statutory provisions relating to local government prohibitions or restrictions on the sale or use of a package or container under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, does not include a single-use plastic bag.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.