Texas House Bill HB1714

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the discontinuance of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's compliance history program.

Impact

The discontinuance of the compliance history program is expected to have significant implications on how permit applications for solid waste management facilities are evaluated. The TCEQ will no longer be mandated to assess an applicant’s compliance history through a rigid five-year review period. Instead, the evaluation may focus more on current compliance summaries and the establishment of environmental management systems, potentially allowing for more flexibility in the permitting process. This change could expedite approvals and foster innovation in compliance methodologies.

Summary

House Bill 1714 aims to discontinue the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) compliance history program as it pertains to solid waste management activities. The bill proposes amendments to the Health and Safety Code by removing specific sections that outline the methodology for evaluating compliance history developed under prior regulations. By doing so, the bill seeks to streamline the permitting process by relying on compliance summaries and encouraging a regulatory environment that fosters the implementation of environmental management systems.

Contention

There are notable concerns surrounding HB 1714 regarding its impact on environmental protection standards. Critics argue that by eliminating the compliance history evaluation, the bill may weaken the regulatory oversight that is crucial for ensuring environmental safety and public health. Proponents, however, assert that this legislation will reduce bureaucratic red tape and improve efficiency for businesses seeking to navigate the permitting process in Texas. The debate centers on balancing regulatory flexibility with the preservation of essential environmental safeguards.