88R10337 MP-F
 
  By: Kitzman H.B. No. 3128
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of on-site sewage disposal systems,
  including requiring a license for on-site sewage disposal system
  pumping technicians.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 366.001, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 366.001.  POLICY AND PURPOSE.  It is the public policy
  of this state and the purpose of this chapter to:
               (1)  eliminate and prevent health hazards by regulating
  and properly planning the location, design, construction,
  installation, operation, pumping, and maintenance of on-site
  sewage disposal systems;
               (2)  authorize the commission or authorized agent to
  impose and collect a permit fee for:
                     (A)  construction, installation, alteration,
  repair, or extension of on-site sewage disposal systems; and
                     (B)  tests, designs, and inspections of those
  systems;
               (3)  authorize the commission or authorized agent to
  impose a penalty for a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted
  under this chapter;
               (4)  authorize the commission to license or register
  certain persons; and
               (5)  allow the individual owner of a disposal system to
  install and repair the system in accordance with this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Section 366.052(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Sections 366.051, 366.053, 366.054, and 366.057 do not
  apply to an on-site sewage disposal system of a single residence
  that is located on a land tract that is:
               (1)  10 acres or larger in which the field line or
  sewage disposal line is not closer than 100 feet of the property
  line; and
               (2)  in a county with a population of less than 40,000.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 366.071(a) and (d), Health and Safety
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person who constructs, installs, alters, extends,
  services, maintains, pumps, or repairs an on-site sewage disposal
  system or any part of an on-site sewage disposal system for
  compensation must hold a license or registration issued by the
  commission under Chapter 37, Water Code.
         (d)  The commission may implement a program under Chapter 37,
  Water Code, to register persons who service, pump, or maintain
  on-site sewage disposal systems for compensation.
         SECTION 4.  Section 366.052(a), Health and Safety Code, as
  amended by this Act, applies only to a residence for which
  construction begins on or after the effective date of this Act. A
  residence for which construction began before the effective date of
  this Act is governed by the law in effect when construction began,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  Not later than September 1, 2024, the Texas
  Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules implementing
  Section 366.071(a), Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.
  The rules must provide for the creation of an on-site sewage
  disposal system pumping technician license or registration and the
  requirements and qualifications to obtain the license or
  registration.
         SECTION 6.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
         (b)  Section 366.071(a), Health and Safety Code, as amended
  by this Act, takes effect September 1, 2024.