BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1667
	By: Seliger
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	4/11/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

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. (Original Author�s / Sponsor�s Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 1667 amends current law relating to the nature, funding, and 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 403.005, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 403.005. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes to this subsection.

(b) Authorizes the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission (commission) to conduct other activities not described by the federal law governing the commission or the compact, as long as those activities are consistent with the policies and procedures of this state.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 403.0051, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 403.0051. New heading: COMMISSION AS INDEPENDENT ENTITY; FUNDING. (a) Provides that the commission is an independent entity established by federal law and governed by the compact and is not an agency of this state or a program, department, or other division of, or administratively attached to, an agency of this state, rather than not attached to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

(b) Authorizes the legislature to appropriate money to the commission. Makes no further changes to this subsection.

(c) Authorizes the Texas comptroller of public accounts to assign the commission an agency code, and, from funds appropriated to the commission, provide for 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.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.