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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation, monitoring, and enforcement of matters |
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under the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental |
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Quality; authorizing the assessment or increase of civil and |
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administrative penalties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 374.252(b) and (c), Health and Safety |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) If a registration fee is not paid on or before the 30th |
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day after the date the fee is due, the commission may assess for |
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each day the fee is not paid a penalty not to exceed $50 per day or |
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the amount published under Section 7.0522, Water Code [for each day |
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the fee is not paid]. |
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(c) If a registration application for an operating dry |
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cleaning facility or drop station is not filed with the commission |
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on or before the 30th day after the date the application is due, the |
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commission may assess for each day the application is not filed a |
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penalty not to exceed $50 per day or the amount published under |
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Section 7.0522, Water Code [for each day the application is not |
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filed]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 382.0215(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The commission shall require the owner or operator of a |
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regulated entity that experiences emissions events: |
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(1) to maintain a record of all emissions events at the |
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regulated entity in the manner and for the periods prescribed by |
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commission rule; |
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(2) to notify the commission in a single report for |
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each emissions event, as soon as practicable but not later than 24 |
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hours after discovery of the emissions event, of an emissions event |
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resulting in the emission of a reportable quantity of air |
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contaminants as determined by commission rule; and |
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(3) to report to the commission in a single report for |
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each emissions event, not later than two weeks after the occurrence |
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of an emissions event that results in the emission of a reportable |
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quantity of air contaminants as determined by commission rule, all |
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information necessary to evaluate the emissions event, including: |
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(A) the name of the owner or operator of the |
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reporting regulated entity; |
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(B) the location of the reporting regulated |
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entity expressed in terms of longitude and latitude; |
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(C) the date and time the emissions began; |
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(D) the duration of the emissions; |
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(E) the nature and measured or estimated quantity |
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of air contaminants emitted, including the method of calculation |
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of, or other basis for determining, the quantity of air |
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contaminants emitted; |
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(F) the processes and equipment involved in the |
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emissions event; |
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(G) the cause of the emissions; and |
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(H) any additional information necessary to |
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evaluate the emissions event. |
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SECTION 3. Section 382.0216, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsections (k), (l), and (m) to read as follows: |
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(k) The commission by rule shall provide for the imposition |
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of permit conditions that establish a: |
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(1) maximum number of emissions events that may occur |
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in a year before the commission will temporarily revoke the |
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facility's permit or take another enforcement action; and |
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(2) maximum volume of emissions events, expressed in |
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terms of a percentage of permitted emissions, that may occur in a |
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year before the commission will temporarily revoke the facility's |
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permit or take another enforcement action. |
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(l) The commission shall enforce rules concerning emissions |
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events by means of civil or administrative penalties or by |
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injunctive relief as provided by Chapter 7, Water Code. The |
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commission may not exempt excess emissions from penalties or |
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injunctive relief. |
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(m) The commission shall develop and implement policies to |
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limit the cumulative effects of emissions from maintenance, |
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startups, and shutdowns of facilities. The fact that a facility |
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does not exceed a threshold established under this subsection may |
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not be considered as evidence of good faith or a lack of effect on |
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environmental or public health. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 382, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0217 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 382.0217. EXCESSIVE EMISSIONS EVENTS PENALTY. (a) In |
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this section, "emissions event" and "regulated entity" have the |
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meanings assigned by Section 382.0215. |
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(b) In addition to any other penalty assessed by the |
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commission for an emissions event, the owner or operator of a |
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regulated entity that reports an emissions event shall pay to the |
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commission a mandatory penalty of not less than $1 per pound of each |
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pollutant released that: |
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(1) exceeds an authorized emission limit for the |
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pollutant; or |
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(2) is not authorized by any permit, permit by rule, or |
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regulation. |
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(c) In assessing penalties for an excessive emissions |
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event, the commission may assess penalties based on individual |
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pollutants that exceeded the owner's or operator's permit. |
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SECTION 5. The heading to Section 505.017, Health and |
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Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 505.017. NOTICE ISSUED UNDER EMERGENCIES; TOXIC |
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CHEMICAL EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. |
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SECTION 6. Section 505.017, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c) If the responsible state agency determines that a |
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release will substantially endanger human health or the |
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environment, the agency shall, not later than 30 minutes after |
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making the determination, notify persons in the area in which the |
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facility is located of the release using the alert system |
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established under Subsection (d). When the agency determines a |
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release is no longer a threat to human health or the environment, |
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the agency shall notify persons using the alert system. |
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(d) The state emergency response commission shall develop |
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and maintain a toxic chemical emergency alert system to notify |
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persons in the area in which the facility is located of a release |
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that will substantially endanger human health or the environment. |
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The commission may partner with other state agencies in developing |
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the alert system and shall allow persons to register for a preferred |
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method of, and preferred language for, receiving a message under |
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the alert system. In developing the alert system, the commission |
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may use as a model the alert systems established by Subchapter L, |
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Chapter 411, Government Code, and Section 51.854, Water Code. The |
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alert system must allow a person the option of not receiving the |
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alerts on the person's notification to the commission. |
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(e) The toxic chemical emergency alert system must: |
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(1) provide notification through reverse 9-1-1 calls, |
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text messages, e-mails, social media, and other instant messaging |
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systems; and |
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(2) allow the state agency providing the notification |
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to modify the notification based on: |
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(A) the distance of the release to the person |
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receiving the notification; and |
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(B) the projected movement of the release. |
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(f) An alert issued by the toxic chemical emergency alert |
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system must include: |
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(1) each area affected by the release, including a |
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geographic display of the severity of the threat posed by the |
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release; |
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(2) a link to an Internet website or other message |
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system that maintains current information on each affected area; |
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(3) a link to an Internet website or other message |
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system that describes a symptom of any illness caused by the release |
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that may require emergency medical treatment; |
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(4) the chemicals involved in and toxicity of the |
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release; |
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(5) the projected movement of the release; and |
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(6) instructions for protection from exposure to the |
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release or for reducing exposure to the release. |
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(g) The state emergency response commission shall review |
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and modify the toxic chemical emergency alert system, as |
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appropriate, every four years. |
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SECTION 7. Section 7.052, Water Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a), (b), (b-1), (b-2), (b-4), (c), and (d) |
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and adding Subsection (b-5) to read as follows: |
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(a) The amount of the penalty for each [a] violation of |
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Chapter 37 of this code, Chapter 366, 371, or 372, Health and Safety |
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Code, or Chapter 1903, Occupations Code, may not exceed the greater |
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of $5,000 a day or the amount per day published under Section 7.0521 |
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[for each violation]. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-3), the amount of |
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the penalty for operating a rock crusher or a concrete plant that |
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performs wet batching, dry batching, or central mixing, that is |
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required to obtain a permit under Section 382.0518, Health and |
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Safety Code, and that is operating without the required permit is |
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the greater of $10,000 or the amount published under Section |
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7.0521. Each day that a continuing violation occurs is a separate |
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violation. |
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(b-1) The amount of the penalty assessed against a |
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manufacturer that does not label its computer equipment or covered |
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television equipment or adopt and implement a recovery plan as |
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required by Section 361.955, 361.975, or 361.978, Health and Safety |
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Code, as applicable, may not exceed the greater of $10,000 for the |
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second violation, [or] $25,000 for each subsequent violation, or |
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the amount published under Section 7.0521. A penalty under this |
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subsection is in addition to any other penalty that may be assessed |
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for a violation of Subchapter Y or Z, Chapter 361, Health and Safety |
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Code. |
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(b-2) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), the amount of |
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the penalty for a violation of Subchapter Y or Z, Chapter 361, |
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Health and Safety Code, may not exceed $1,000 for the second |
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violation, [or] $2,000 for each subsequent violation, or the amount |
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published under Section 7.0521. A penalty under this subsection is |
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in addition to any other penalty that may be assessed for a |
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violation of Subchapter Y or Z, Chapter 361, Health and Safety Code. |
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(b-4) Except as provided by Subsection (b-5), the [The] |
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amount of the penalty against a facility operator who violates |
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Chapter 505, Health and Safety Code, or a rule adopted or order |
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issued under that chapter, for each day a violation continues, may |
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not exceed $500 a day or the amount per day published under Section |
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7.0521 [for each day a violation continues] with a total for each |
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violation not to exceed $5,000 or the total amount published under |
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Section 7.0521 [for each violation]. Except as provided by |
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Subsection (b-5), the [The] amount of a penalty against a facility |
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operator who violates Chapter 506 or 507, Health and Safety Code, or |
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a rule adopted or order issued under those chapters, for each day a |
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violation continues, may not exceed $50 a day or the amount per day |
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published under Section 7.0521 [for each day a violation continues] |
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with a total for each violation not to exceed $1,000 or the total |
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amount published under Section 7.0521 [for each violation]. |
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(b-5) The amount of a penalty assessed under Subsection (b- |
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4) must be tripled if a first responder is injured as a result of |
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exposure to hazardous material while responding to an incident at |
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the facility that is the subject of the penalty. |
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(c) The amount of the penalty for each [all] other violation |
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[violations] within the jurisdiction of the commission to enforce |
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may not exceed $50,000 [$25,000] a day or the amount per day |
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published under Section 7.0521 [for each violation]. |
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(d) Except as provided by Subsection (b), each day that a |
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continuing violation occurs shall [may] be considered a separate |
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violation. The commission may authorize an installment payment |
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schedule for an administrative penalty assessed under this |
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subchapter, except for an administrative penalty assessed under |
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Section 7.057. |
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SECTION 8. Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Sections 7.0521 and 7.0522 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 7.0521. INCREASE OF AMOUNT OF PENALTY FOR CERTAIN |
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VIOLATIONS. Notwithstanding Section 7.052, Section 7.0525, or any |
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other provision of law, the commission may increase the amount of a |
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penalty assessed under this subchapter by an amount not to exceed 50 |
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percent of the maximum authorized penalty if the alleged violator |
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has a history of previous violations. |
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Sec. 7.0522. INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF AMOUNT OF CERTAIN |
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PENALTIES. (a) The commission annually shall compute and publish a |
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dollar amount to reflect inflation for the penalty amounts in: |
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(1) Section 7.052; and |
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(2) Section 7.103. |
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(b) In making the computation under Subsection (a), the |
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commission shall consider the Consumer Price Index for All Urban |
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Consumers, or its successor in function, published by the United |
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States Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
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(c) The commission shall use 2021 as the base year and |
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adjust the dollar amounts, effective on September 1 of each year. |
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(d) The commission shall make available to the public |
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information regarding adjustments made under this section. |
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(e) The commission may adopt rules as necessary to |
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administer this section. |
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SECTION 9. Sections 7.0525(a) and (b), Water Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the amount of the |
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penalty for a violation of Section 374.252, Health and Safety Code, |
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may not exceed $5,000 or the amount published under Section 7.0521. |
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(b) The amount of the penalty for a violation of Section |
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374.252(a)(3), Health and Safety Code, may not exceed $10,000 or |
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the amount published under Section 7.0521. |
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SECTION 10. Section 7.102, Water Code, is amended to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 7.102. MAXIMUM PENALTY. (a) A person who causes, |
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suffers, allows, or permits a violation of a statute, rule, order, |
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or permit relating to Chapter 37 of this code, Chapter 366, 371, or |
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372, Health and Safety Code, Subchapter G, Chapter 382, Health and |
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Safety Code, or Chapter 1903, Occupations Code, shall be assessed |
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for each day of each violation a civil penalty, as the court or jury |
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considers proper: |
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(1) of not less than $50 nor greater than $5,000; or |
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(2) in the amount per day published under Section |
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7.0522 [for each day of each violation as the court or jury |
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considers proper]. |
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(b) A person who causes, suffers, allows, or permits a |
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violation of a statute, rule, order, or permit relating to any other |
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matter within the commission's jurisdiction to enforce, other than |
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violations of Chapter 11, 12, 13, 16, or 36 of this code, or Chapter |
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341, Health and Safety Code, shall be assessed for each day of each |
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violation a civil penalty, as the court or jury considers proper: |
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(1) of not less than $100 [$50] nor greater than |
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$50,000 [$25,000]; or |
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(2) in the amount per day published under Section |
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7.0522 [for each day of each violation as the court or jury |
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considers proper]. |
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(c) Each day of a continuing violation is a separate |
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violation. |
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SECTION 11. Section 7.1021, Water Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), a [A] person who |
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knowingly discloses false information or negligently fails to |
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disclose a hazard as required by Chapter 505 or 506, Health and |
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Safety Code, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 |
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for each violation. |
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(a-1) The amount of a penalty assessed under Subsection (a) |
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must be tripled if a first responder is injured as a result of |
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exposure to hazardous material while responding to an incident at |
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the facility that is the subject of the penalty. |
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SECTION 12. Section 7.103, Water Code, is amended to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 7.103. CONTINUING VIOLATIONS. (a) If it is shown on a |
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trial of a defendant that the defendant has previously been |
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assessed a civil penalty for a violation of a statute within the |
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commission's jurisdiction or a rule adopted or an order or a permit |
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issued under such a statute within the year before the date on which |
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the violation being tried occurred, the defendant shall be assessed |
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a civil penalty: |
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(1) of not less than $200 [$100] nor greater than |
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$50,000 [$25,000] for each subsequent day and for each subsequent |
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violation; or |
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(2) in the amount per day published under Section |
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7.0521. |
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(b) Each day of a continuing violation is a separate |
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violation. |
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SECTION 13. Section 7.105, Water Code, is amended by adding |
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Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) A penalty recovered under this section is additional to |
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any penalty assessed by the commission. |
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SECTION 14. Section 7.302, Water Code, is amended by adding |
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Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) After notice and hearing, the commission shall revoke, |
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suspend, or revoke and reissue a permit or exemption if a violation |
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of a term or condition of the permit causes a catastrophic event |
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that results in the death or serious injury of an individual. |
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SECTION 15. Sections 382.0216(f) and (h), Health and Safety |
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Code, are repealed. |
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SECTION 16. Sections 374.252 and 382.0216, Health and |
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Safety Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an enforcement |
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action initiated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
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on or after the effective date of this Act. An enforcement action |
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initiated before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
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law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and |
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the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 17. Section 382.0217, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, applies only to an emissions event that occurs on |
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or after the effective date of this Act. An emissions event that |
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occurs before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date |
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the emissions event occurred, and the former law is continued in |
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effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 18. Not later than January 1, 2023, the state |
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emergency response commission, as defined in Section 505.004, |
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Health and Safety Code, shall establish the toxic chemical |
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emergency alert system as required by Section 505.017, Health and |
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Safety Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 19. Sections 7.052, 7.0525, 7.102, 7.1021, 7.103, |
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7.105, and 7.302, Water Code, as amended by this Act, and Sections |
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7.0521 and 7.0522, Water Code, as added by this Act, apply only to a |
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violation that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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For purposes of this section, a violation occurs before the |
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effective date of this Act if any element of the violation occurs |
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before that date. |
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SECTION 20. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |