Texas House Bill HB1310

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to who may request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality related to the construction of a concrete plant.

Impact

The bill has the potential to significantly influence local governance and community participation in environmental decision-making. By restricting the ability to request a public hearing to a designated group of representatives within a specific proximity to the construction site, it may limit the number of community voices that have a say in environmental assessments. This raises concerns about the adequacy of local representation and the responsiveness of the regulatory process to broader community concerns surrounding concrete plant operations.

Summary

House Bill 1310 aims to amend the Health and Safety Code regarding who may request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) related to the construction of concrete plants. The bill specifies that only representatives from certain local institutions such as schools, places of worship, licensed day-care centers, hospitals, or medical facilities located within 440 yards of a proposed plant can request a hearing. This modification intends to streamline and clarify the process for community engagement in environmental concerns tied to concrete plant operations.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding the perceived limitation of public input and oversight with this bill. Advocates for community rights may argue that it constrains democratic engagement and undermines the ability of residents outside the specified radius to express their concerns. Critics may emphasize that environmental impacts can affect a wider area than that immediately surrounding proposed plants, and thus many individuals may feel disenfranchised by this legislative change. The restriction could lead to disputes over its implications for public health and local environmental conditions.