89R10830 ANG-D
 
  By: Menéndez, Bettencourt S.B. No. 1929
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to water testing by the Texas Commission on Environmental
  Quality at correctional facilities operated by the Texas Department
  of Criminal Justice and county jails.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 341, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 341.0392 to read as follows:
         Sec. 341.0392.  WATER TESTING AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND
  COUNTY JAILS. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Correctional facility" means a correctional
  facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
               (2)  "Safe Drinking Water Act" means the federal Safe
  Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.).
               (3)  "Tap test" means a water sample collected and
  tested in the manner prescribed by the federal monitoring
  requirements for lead, copper, and arsenic in tap water under 40
  C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I.
         (b)  In addition to any water test required by the Safe
  Drinking Water Act, the commission shall require commission staff
  or a qualified contractor to perform regular tap tests at each
  correctional facility and county jail to monitor the water from
  potable water outlets at the facility or jail.
         (c)  If the commissioner determines that the amount of lead,
  copper, or arsenic in a potable water outlet of a correctional
  facility or county jail exceeds the level of lead, copper, or
  arsenic considered safe for human consumption as established by
  rules adopted under Subsection (f), the affected correctional
  facility or county jail shall prevent the use of the potable water
  outlet until tests confirm the water in the potable water outlet is
  safe for human consumption.
         (d)  The commission may establish the frequency of tap
  testing at a correctional facility or county jail that is necessary
  to ensure the levels of lead, copper, and arsenic do not exceed the
  levels of lead, copper, and arsenic safe for human consumption as
  established by the commission.
         (e)  A correctional facility or county jail shall allow the
  commission access to necessary facilities for purposes of tap
  testing under this section.
         (f)  The commission, in consultation with the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice and the commissioners court of each
  county, shall adopt rules to implement this section, including
  rules to establish the level of lead, copper, and arsenic in
  drinking water that is considered safe for human consumption. The
  rules adopted under this section must be consistent with the
  requirements for public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water
  Act.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.