By: Villalba H.B. No. 2823
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to expedited permitting and economic development;
authorizing a surcharge.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 382, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0685 to read as follows:
Section 382.0685. Expedited Permits.
(a) The commission shall adopt a program to expedite the
processing of permits, amendments, registrations, or variances.
(b) The expedited permit program shall authorize the
expedited processing of permits at the request of an applicant if
the executive director determines that the project will benefit
the local or state economy.
(c) The commission may issue an expedited permit provided
the application is found to meet all otherwise applicable federal
requirements and all otherwise applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements under this chapter, including notice and opportunity
for comment or hearing.
(d) The commission shall establish a surcharge on the
standard permit application fee for an expedited permit
application sufficient to cover all expenses associated with the
expediting, including overtime, incentive pay, contract labor, and
other costs.
(e) The commission may elect to authorize the use of
overtime, financial or other incentives, or contract labor in
support of the expedited permitting program. Use of overtime,
incentives, compensatory time, contract labor or other means shall
not be used in the calculation of the commission's limit on the
number of full time equivalent employees.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all 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.