BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1929

By: Leo-Wilson

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Constituents in areas of House District 23 with new coastal development have expressed frustration that they are forced to use grinder pumps in projects for which an aerobic drip emitter system would be more effective. The original rules adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding aerobic drip emitter systems are outmoded—in areas with suitably sandy soil, these systems are perfectly safe and clean, even on smaller lots. H.B. 1929 seeks to address this issue by providing for residents of certain counties to install aerobic drip emitter systems on properties less than one-half acre in size.

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. 1929 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in adopting rules to assure the effective and efficient administration of state law governing on-site sewage disposal systems, to adopt specific rules with respect to a county with a population of at least 350,000 and not more than 370,000 that is adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent to a county with a population of at least 3.3 million, that allow for the installation of aerobic drip emitter systems on subdivided or platted properties less than one-half acre in size serving single-family residences supplied by a public drinking water system if site-specific planning materials have been submitted by a licensed engineer or registered sanitarian and those materials have been approved by the appropriate authorized agent.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.