BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2394
86R12288 MP-F	By: Taylor
	Water & Rural Affairs
	4/22/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As proposed, S.B. 2394 amends current law relating to reporting requirements for certain accidental discharges or spills.

Note: While the statutory reference is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the changes made by this bill affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as the successor agency to TNRCC.

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 Sections 26.039(b) and (g), Water Code, as follows:

(b) Requires the individual operating, in charge of, or responsible for the activity or facility, whenever an accidental discharge or spill occurs at or from any activity or facility which causes or may cause pollution, except as provided by Subsection (g), to notify the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) and the county judge of the county in which the spill or discharge occurred, rather than notify TNRCC, as soon as possible and not later than 24 hours after the occurrence. Requires the individual's notice to TNRCC and the county judge, rather than TNRCC, to include the location, volume, and content of the discharge or spill.

(g) Makes a conforming change to this subsection.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.