Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB546 by Kolkhorst (Relating to the quality of water provided by public drinking water supply systems to state supported living centers.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to seek guidance from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to ensure the quality of drinking water supplied to state supported living centers. The agencies would be required to develop water testing and monitoring plans; outreach and educational materials; requirements for using accredited laboratories and sample chain of custody procedures; and guidance for compliance with certain federal rules. The agencies would review water quality notification procedures; sampling protocols and procedures; locations of certain taps; certain lead and copper data; remediation activities; and customer service inspection reports. The agencies would compile a list of qualified customer service inspectors and would perform certain on-site trainings and evaluations.
The bill would take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote from all members of each house or, if such a vote is not received, on September 1, 2017.
It is assumed the provisions of the bill can be implemented within the existing resources of both HHSC and TCEQ.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
529 Health and Human Services Commission, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality