BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1667

By: Seliger

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note the need to clarify the unique status of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission and to provide for commission funding. S.B. 1667 seeks to address this need by setting out provisions relating to the nature, funding, and functions of the commission.

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

S.B. 1667 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission to conduct activities not described by the federal law governing the commission or the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact, as long as those activities are consistent with state policies and procedures. The bill clarifies that the commission is an independent entity established by federal law and governed by the compact and that the commission is not a state agency or a program, department, or other division of, or administratively attached to, any state agency. The bill authorizes the legislature to appropriate money to the commission. The bill authorizes the comptroller of public accounts to assign the commission an agency code and to provide for, from funds appropriated to the commission, the reimbursement of a commission member or employee or a person who contracts with the commission for purchases approved by the commission, including state and local sales tax.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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