83R9571 JXC-D
By: Allen H.B. No. 2368
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on waste reduction and a statewide waste
reduction plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(2) "Recycling" has the meaning assigned by Section
361.421, Health and Safety Code.
(3) "Waste reduction" means reducing the amount and
toxicity of waste, including:
(A) source reduction, as that term is defined by
Section 361.421, Health and Safety Code;
(B) reusing materials or diverting materials
from a waste stream; and
(C) recycling.
SECTION 2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE; STUDY. (a) The commission
shall convene an advisory committee established under Chapter 361,
Health and Safety Code.
(b) The commission and the advisory committee shall conduct
a study regarding waste reduction in this state. The study must:
(1) assess current waste reduction efforts and
identify ways in which the private and public sectors can improve
and increase those efforts;
(2) assess the effectiveness of waste reduction
statutes, regulations, and programs in this state;
(3) assess the extent to which waste reduction
programs in this state are duplicative;
(4) investigate available funding for waste reduction
programs in this state;
(5) review waste reduction education programs in this
state;
(6) review standards in use in this state for:
(A) training and certification of waste
reduction professionals; and
(B) reporting amounts of waste recycled;
(7) review waste reduction best practices;
(8) assess the economic effects of waste reduction;
(9) assess job creation opportunities associated with
recycling; and
(10) review recycling activities in this state,
including the materials being recycled and the facilities and
programs that accept or use recycled materials in this state.
(c) The advisory committee shall prepare a written report on
the results of the study, submit the report to the commission, and
collaborate with the commission to publish the study on the
commission's Internet website.
SECTION 3. GOAL UPDATE. The commission shall use the report
described by Section 2 of this Act to reassess whether the source
reduction and recycling goal established under Section 361.422,
Health and Safety Code, is being achieved and how the goal might be
updated.
SECTION 4. PLAN UPDATES. The commission shall recommend to
each entity that has adopted a solid waste management plan under
Subchapter D, Chapter 363, Health and Safety Code, ways in which the
entity can update the plan based on the report described by Section
2 of this Act.
SECTION 5. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than December
1, 2014, the commission shall submit to the lieutenant governor,
the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding
officer of the standing committee of each house of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over environmental matters a report that
includes the results of the study described by Section 2 of this
Act.
SECTION 6. EXPIRATION. This Act expires August 31, 2015.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2013.