Texas Senate Bill SB365

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities.

Impact

The bill directly influences the permitting process by requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish new protocols when assessing applications from facilities that impact disadvantaged communities. If an application is deemed to affect an environmental justice community, the applicant must fulfill additional requirements, such as developing a public participation plan and holding public hearings, which aim to involve community members in discussions about potential environmental and health impacts.

Summary

SB365, titled 'Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities,' is designed to enhance the regulatory considerations pertinent to environmental justice during the permit application process. The bill stipulates that applicants seeking permits for new facilities or expansions are required to conduct and submit an environmental justice report that assesses whether the facility will be located in an environmental justice community as defined by specific demographic criteria.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB365 include the potential burden this legislation could place on permit applicants, especially in sectors where quick expansion is crucial. Critics may argue that these added steps could slow down the permitting process and create barriers for businesses, particularly those seeking to operate in economically challenged regions. Conversely, supporters assert that the increased scrutiny is necessary to ensure that vulnerable communities have a voice in decisions that directly affect their environment and health.