Texas House Bill HB3547

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/21/09
• Voted on by House: 5/6/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/23/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/27/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/30/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to an order for the closure of unregistered dry cleaning facilities and dry cleaning drop stations by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Impact

Once enacted, this legislation will specifically amend the Health and Safety Code to ensure stricter compliance among dry cleaning businesses. It reinforces the authority of the TCEQ in monitoring and enforcing operational registrations, thus enhancing public safety and environmental protection. By imposing a clear timeframe for compliance and subsequent penalties for non-compliance, the bill is expected to significantly reduce the number of unregistered and potentially unsafe dry cleaning operations within Texas.

Summary

House Bill 3547 focuses on the regulation of dry cleaning facilities and drop stations that are unregistered in Texas. Under this bill, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is empowered to issue notices of violation to owners or operators of these facilities, indicating that they must correct any violations within 30 days. If the required corrections are not made within this timeframe, TCEQ can then order the cessation of operations for the non-compliant facilities. The bill aims to uphold health and safety standards in the state's dry cleaning industry.

Contention

While the bill primarily appears to be focused on improving regulatory standards, there may be contention regarding its implementation and potential economic impact on small business owners in the dry cleaning industry. Discussions might arise concerning the fairness of the 30-day compliance window, especially for smaller, possibly less-resourced operators who might struggle to meet the state’s requirements swiftly. The balance between enforcing regulations for public safety while allowing for adequate business operation within the dry cleaning sector is likely to be a point of debate among stakeholders.