BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 339 82R2142 JTS-D By: Gallegos Natural Resources 4/21/2011 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 339
82R2142 JTS-D By: Gallegos
Natural Resources
4/21/2011
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 339
82R2142 JTS-D
By: Gallegos
Natural Resources
4/21/2011
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Emissions events from regulated entities can affect residential areas with sometimes dangerous, odorous, or visible emissions. This can lead to concerned residents calling their elected officials seeking information on the nature of the emissions event. As proposed, S.B. 339 amends current law relating to disclosure by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of information related to emissions events. [Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as the successor agency to TNRCC.] RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 382.0215, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (e-1), as follows: (b-1) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), after receiving a report of an emissions event under Subsection (b)(2), to provide notice of the event to officials who represent the area in which the event occurred, including each state senator, each state representative, the county commissioners court, and if applicable, the mayor or other presiding officer of any affected municipality. (e-1) Requires TNRCC to maintain a list of emissions events on TNRCC's Internet website that is easily accessible by the public and that includes information on emissions events that have occurred in the preceding 12 weeks. Requires that the information include the name of the regulated entity, each air contaminant emitted, the location of the emissions event, and the date and duration of the event. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Emissions events from regulated entities can affect residential areas with sometimes dangerous, odorous, or visible emissions. This can lead to concerned residents calling their elected officials seeking information on the nature of the emissions event.
As proposed, S.B. 339 amends current law relating to disclosure by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of information related to emissions events.
[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as the successor agency to TNRCC.]
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 382.0215, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (e-1), as follows:
(b-1) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), after receiving a report of an emissions event under Subsection (b)(2), to provide notice of the event to officials who represent the area in which the event occurred, including each state senator, each state representative, the county commissioners court, and if applicable, the mayor or other presiding officer of any affected municipality.
(e-1) Requires TNRCC to maintain a list of emissions events on TNRCC's Internet website that is easily accessible by the public and that includes information on emissions events that have occurred in the preceding 12 weeks. Requires that the information include the name of the regulated entity, each air contaminant emitted, the location of the emissions event, and the date and duration of the event.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.