BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1331

By: Thompson, Ed

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the cost and resources required for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to process municipal solid waste permit applications, which involves extensively reviewing each application and mailing required public notices. H.B. 1331 seeks to allocate adequate resources for TCEQ for this process by providing for a $2,000 application fee for such a permit.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in SECTION 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1331 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to charge an applicant for a permit for a municipal solid waste facility an application fee of $2,000. The bill requires TCEQ to adopt or modify any rules necessary to implement this requirement.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.