By: Thompson of Brazoria H.B. No. 2763
(Senate Sponsor - RodrÃguez)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 13, 2015;
May 13, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural
Resources and Economic Development; May 22, 2015, reported
favorably by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; May 22, 2015,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study of the current and potential economic impacts of
recycling.
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.
SECTION 2. STUDY OF ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF RECYCLING. (a) The
commission shall conduct a study on the current and potential
economic impacts of recycling, including state and local revenue
that may be considered lost because recyclable materials are not
recycled. The study must:
(1) assess current recycling efforts, including by:
(A) quantifying the amount of materials
currently being recycled;
(B) assessing the cost, value, and quality of
materials currently being recycled; and
(C) estimating the amount of materials that could
be recycled but are not currently being recycled;
(2) identify methods that may be used, by the public
sector, the private sector, or both, to increase recycling,
including through the development of:
(A) new markets for recycled materials; and
(B) new businesses that may result from
recycling;
(3) investigate the current and potential
availability of funding for the methods identified under
Subdivision (2);
(4) assess the current types and number of jobs
associated with recycling and potential additional opportunities
for job creation that may result from increased recycling; and
(5) assess infrastructure needs and development
opportunities associated with recycling in rural areas.
(b) To the extent practicable, the commission shall use
methodologies developed for other recycling studies performed in
this state in performing the study under this section.
(c) The commission shall prepare a written report on the
results of the study and include the report in the 2016 summary
report titled "Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review."
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires August 31, 2017.
SECTION 4. 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, 2015.
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