Texas House Bill HB3765

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/16/09
• Voted on by House: 4/29/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/7/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/13/09
• Governor Action: 5/23/09
• Enrolled: 5/15/09
• Passed: 5/23/09

Caption

Relating to the use of hazardous and solid waste remediation fee funds for lead-acid battery recycling activities.

Impact

If enacted, HB3765 would signal a shift in how funds from hazardous waste collections are distributed, establishing a dedicated channel for supporting the recycling of lead-acid batteries. This reallocation of funds is expected to bolster efforts to minimize the ecological footprint of battery disposal and promote sustainable practices within the battery industry. By emphasizing remediation and recycling, the bill aims to better align state efforts with broader environmental goals, particularly those related to air and water quality protections.

Summary

House Bill 3765 proposes amendments to the Health and Safety Code regarding the utilization of hazardous and solid waste remediation fee funds specifically for lead-acid battery recycling activities. The bill allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to allocate up to 20% annually of the fees collected from lead-acid battery sales towards various initiatives aimed at enhancing recycling efforts. This proactive measure is intended to mitigate the environmental and infrastructure impacts associated with lead-acid batteries while promoting innovations in recycling technology.

Conclusion

Ultimately, HB3765 demonstrates an evolving legislative landscape where environmental sustainability gains prominence in funding decisions. Through targeted allocations for lead-acid battery recycling, this bill has the potential to foster a culture of responsibility in waste management and contribute positively to public health and environmental outcomes in Texas.

Contention

While the bill received overall support for its focus on recycling and environmental safety, discussions around HB3765 may have raised issues concerning the practicality of fund allocation and the potential for unintended consequences related to economic impacts on the battery recycling industry. Stakeholders have expressed a need for clear guidelines surrounding the proposed programs and have debated the effectiveness of investing in recycling initiatives versus other environmental reclamation projects, raising questions about prioritization of resources.