Texas House Bill HB4221

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to requiring owners of sanitary sewer systems to report the current condition of a system's infrastructure to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will significantly impact existing laws concerning the regulation and oversight of sewer utility services. By requiring utilities to submit detailed assessments of their systems, the TCEQ will have access to crucial data that can help inform public health and safety measures. Furthermore, the collected information will be made publicly available on the TCEQ's website, promoting transparency and potentially empowering communities to engage in discussions about infrastructure investments and repairs.

Summary

House Bill 4221 focuses on enhancing the accountability of retail public utilities that provide sewer utility services by mandating them to report the condition of their infrastructure to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The bill specifies that these utilities must submit a comprehensive report detailing the state of their sewer collection infrastructure and assign ratings based on defined criteria ranging from good condition to needing full replacement. This requirement aims to ensure greater transparency regarding the operational state of sewer systems throughout Texas.

Contention

While the intent of HB 4221 is largely aimed at enhancing public safety through improved infrastructure reporting, there may be contention surrounding the implementation and economic implications for utility providers. Critics could argue that the requirement for regular reporting could impose additional operational burdens on smaller utilities, potentially increasing their costs. There may also be discussions around how effectively the state can oversee and act on the information provided, as well as the timeframe within which utilities must report their conditions.