BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1906 By: Howard, Donna Environmental Regulation Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interested parties observe that state regulatory law provides for local enforcement of heavy-duty idling limitations in any city or county that enters into a memorandum of agreement for that purpose with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Critics of this arrangement observe that the state's heavy-duty idling regulation does not provide an adequate enforcement mechanism for county governments. H.B. 1906 seeks to establish a reasonable penalty for locally enforced heavy-duty vehicle idling violations in unincorporated areas to foster more efficient enforcement, thereby reducing ozone-forming emissions, improving air quality, and benefiting the citizens of Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 1906 amends the Water Code to create a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who violates a rule adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality concerning locally enforced motor vehicle idling limitations. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2011.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 1906
By: Howard, Donna
Environmental Regulation
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 1906
By: Howard, Donna
Environmental Regulation
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interested parties observe that state regulatory law provides for local enforcement of heavy-duty idling limitations in any city or county that enters into a memorandum of agreement for that purpose with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Critics of this arrangement observe that the state's heavy-duty idling regulation does not provide an adequate enforcement mechanism for county governments. H.B. 1906 seeks to establish a reasonable penalty for locally enforced heavy-duty vehicle idling violations in unincorporated areas to foster more efficient enforcement, thereby reducing ozone-forming emissions, improving air quality, and benefiting the citizens of Texas.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 1906 amends the Water Code to create a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who violates a rule adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality concerning locally enforced motor vehicle idling limitations.
EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2011.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Interested parties observe that state regulatory law provides for local enforcement of heavy-duty idling limitations in any city or county that enters into a memorandum of agreement for that purpose with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Critics of this arrangement observe that the state's heavy-duty idling regulation does not provide an adequate enforcement mechanism for county governments.
H.B. 1906 seeks to establish a reasonable penalty for locally enforced heavy-duty vehicle idling violations in unincorporated areas to foster more efficient enforcement, thereby reducing ozone-forming emissions, improving air quality, and benefiting the citizens of Texas.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 1906 amends the Water Code to create a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person who violates a rule adopted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality concerning locally enforced motor vehicle idling limitations.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2011.