Texas Senate Bill SB2385

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the carcinogenic risk level used in the development of certain environmental remediation benchmarks.

Impact

If enacted, SB2385 will directly impact Chapter 361 of the Health and Safety Code, revising how the state sets acceptable carcinogenic risk levels and remediation benchmarks associated with environmental contaminants. By formalizing a standard that limits the risk to one in one million, the bill aims to enhance public health protections while addressing contamination issues more effectively. This could lead to stricter regulations around waste management and environmental cleanup, ensuring that communities are safeguarded against harmful carcinogens.

Summary

SB2385 is a legislative measure aimed at establishing a minimum carcinogenic risk level for environmental remediation standards in Texas. The bill mandates that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality set carcinogenic risk levels at a rate not greater than one in one million when developing any remediation benchmarks. This move reflects concerns over public health and safety by ensuring that exposure to potentially toxic substances is minimized. The bill intends to align remediation practices with rigorous health protection standards.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB2385 is its potential implications on regulatory processes and compliance costs for businesses and industries involved in environmental remediation. Supporters argue it is crucial for protecting public health and ensuring that environmental risks are managed responsibly, while critics may express concerns about the financial impact that strict compliance requirements could impose on businesses. As such, stakeholders including environmental advocacy groups and business associations may have differing perspectives on the appropriateness and feasibility of the one in one million threshold set by the bill.