BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3249

By: Kacal

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that traffic congestion has a number of adverse effects on the environment. H.B. 3249 seeks to provide for a study that analyzes the relationship between pollution and traffic congestion and recommends strategies for ameliorating this problem.

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

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3249 amends the Health and Safety Code to provide funding capped at $250,000 from certain money appropriated to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to be used for programs under the Texas emissions reduction plan to contract with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute for a study to do the following:

· evaluate the relationship between traffic congestion and ozone precursors; and

· identify effective strategies in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from transportation sources.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.