BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1662

By: Zaffirini

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that currently there is no requirement for advance notice to be provided before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) performs water quality testing in response to a complaint and that the lack of notice can create confusion or logistical issues for smaller public drinking water supply systems, particularly those that source water from underground supplies. S.B. 1662 seeks to enhance transparency and cooperation between the TCEQ and public drinking water supply systems by providing for certain notice of water quality testing in order to allow a system to prepare and ensure access, and to promote a smoother inspection process, while maintaining the TCEQ's ability to conduct unannounced inspections when needed.

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

S.B. 1662 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to provide notice not more than 24 hours in advance to a public drinking water supply system that obtains its water supply from underground sources of the TCEQ's intent to perform water quality testing to investigate a complaint related to the system's water quality.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.