2011S0632-1 03/08/11
By: Duncan S.B. No. 1715
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to regulation of the management and disposal of certain
drinking water treatment residuals through underground injection.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 401.412, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read as follows:
(g) The commission by rule shall provide for the expedited
processing of applications for and the issuance of licenses
required by this chapter for the management of residuals derived
from the treatment of groundwater for drinking water purposes.
(h) In exercising its authority under Subsection (g), the
commission shall, where applicable, reciprocate recognition of
similar licensing authorized to an applicant by other agencies of
this state in an effort to create administrative efficiencies,
avoid regulatory redundancies, and otherwise streamline the
administrative requirements for obtaining any additional licensing
that may be required under this chapter.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 27, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 27.026 to read as follows:
Sec. 27.026. USE OF BEDDED SALT FORMATIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF
CERTAIN DRINKING WATER TREATMENT RESIDUALS. (a) The commission by
rule shall provide for the expedited processing of applications for
and issuance of permits required under this chapter for the
disposal into a bedded salt formation of residuals derived from the
treatment of groundwater for drinking water purposes.
(b) In exercising its authority under Subsection (a), the
commission shall work to create administrative efficiencies, avoid
regulatory redundancies, where applicable, and otherwise
streamline the administrative requirements for obtaining permits
required by this chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 27.073, Water Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) Persons to whom an injection well permit is issued under
Section 27.026 for a well that is also permitted for injection
disposal by the railroad commission may demonstrate financial
responsibility to the commission upon demonstration that
compatible financial security has already been issued in
satisfaction of the railroad commission requirements adopted under
this section.
SECTION 4. As soon as possible after the effective date of
this Act, the Department of State Health Services, the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Railroad Commission of
Texas shall undertake all efforts necessary to efficiently
implement this Act while providing for the preservation of
groundwater quality and otherwise ensuring all necessary
protections of the public health and safety.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.