Texas Senate Bill SB1247

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 legislation adds clarity to the process of permitting concrete plants by defining the stakeholders who can voice concerns or objections through public hearings. Communities near proposed construction sites will have designated representatives, such as those from schools or medical facilities, who can advocate on their behalf. This not only emphasizes the importance of local input but also aims to enhance the accountability of proposed projects that may impact environmental and community health.

Summary

SB1247 aims to amend provisions regarding who can request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) concerning the construction of concrete plants. The bill specifies that only representatives of certain facilities located within 440 yards of a proposed concrete plant, as well as residents living within that distance, are eligible to request the hearing. This change is intended to streamline the process of public participation in decisions that may affect immediate communities and environmental quality.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding who qualifies as a representative and the implications of limiting the scope of who can request public hearings. Advocates may argue that restricting this ability to only a select group could silence broader community concerns from residents further away, ultimately impacting the transparency and fairness of the environmental review process. Critics could view this as a means to expedite construction processes at the cost of local engagement, raising questions about environmental justice and the thoroughness of project assessments.