BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1435

By: Thompson, Ed

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

It has been noted that municipal solid waste management facilities and sites must provide the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) with certain information as part of the permit application process. Concerns have been raised that TCEQ has little means by which to verify the information being provided. H.B. 1435 seeks to address these concerns by requiring TCEQ to inspect the facility or site prior to a permit being issued, amended, extended, or renewed.

 

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 1 of this bill.

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 1435 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), before a permit for a proposed municipal solid waste management facility is issued, amended, extended, or renewed, to inspect the facility or site used or proposed to be used to store, process, or dispose of municipal solid waste to confirm information included in the permit application. The bill requires TCEQ by rule to prescribe the kinds of information in a permit application that require confirmation.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2019.