BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1667
	By: Seliger
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	3/31/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 1667 clarifies the unique status of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (commission) as a federally authorized and created entity subject to the laws of the host state, Texas, governing federal law, and the terms of the compact agreement entered into by the party states. It further states that though the commission is not a state agency, it may be afforded certain rights and resources similar to other state agencies.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1667 amends current law relating to the functions of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

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

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 403.0051, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 403.0051. COMMISSION AS INDEPENDENT ENTITY. (a) Provides that the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (commission) is an independent entity as established under federal law and is governed by the party states compact agreement, and not an agency of the State of Texas. Provides the commission is not a program, department, or other division of, or administratively attached to, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) or any other agency of the State of Texas, although the commission is authorized to be assigned an agency code as required, obtain its funding through an appropriation from the State of Texas, allow for the reimbursement of commission members, staff, and contractors from the Texas comptroller of public accounts in a certain amount of state sales tax paid, and conduct other functions not addressed in the governing federal law or in the party states compact agreement in alignment with policies and procedures as determined by the State of Texas.