BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1730

By: Morales Shaw

Environmental Regulation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are toxic chemicals with negative health effects, including cancer and thyroid problems, and do not break down easily in the environment, which may lead to
long-term contamination of drinking water sources, which can harm aquatic life and make water unsafe for human consumption. These chemicals are in various items such as cookware, food packaging, fabrics, cleaning products, fire fighter foam, and other industry materials, as well as water sources. C.S.H.B. 1730 requires the president of the University of Houston to designate a department or entity at the university to conduct, in coordination with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Department of State Health Services, and the Railroad Commission, a study on the health effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals on public health.

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

C.S.H.B. 1730 requires the president of the University of Houston to designate a department or entity at the university to conduct, in collaboration with the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), a study on the effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals on public health. The bill requires the study to include an assessment of the health impact of such chemicals found in the following:

· produce, meat, and other food and beverage products, including their packaging;

· groundwater, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other water sources used to supply the public with drinking water; and

· equipment or materials that:

o likely contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals; and

o regularly come in contact with professionals, including firefighters and chemical manufacturing workers.

The bill authorizes the RRC, the TCEQ, and DSHS, for purposes of collaborating with the designated department or entity, to coordinate with any other state agency as necessary.

C.S.H.B. 1730 requires the designated department or entity, not later than December 1, 2026, to prepare a report with the conclusions of the study and submit the report to the legislature. The bill expires December 31, 2026.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1730 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute includes DSHS among the agencies with which the designated department or entity is required to collaborate in conducting the study, which the introduced did not do.

The substitute includes an authorization absent from the introduced for the RRC, the TCEQ, and DSHS, for purposes of collaborating with the designated department or entity, to coordinate with any other state agency as necessary.