Texas House Bill HB3232

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 3/2/23
• Out of House Committee: 4/17/23
• Voted on by House: 4/28/23
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/19/23
• Voted on by Senate: 5/24/23
• Governor Action: 6/18/23

Caption

Relating to the suspension of an enforcement action against a regional water supply, sewer, or wastewater treatment service for a violation committed by a retail public utility being integrated into the regional service.

Impact

The enactment of HB 3232 is expected to have significant implications on state laws surrounding water and wastewater services. By amending existing statutes to promote regional service integration, the bill provides a structured pathway for smaller, often resource-limited utilities to merge into larger, compliant systems. This is seen as a vital step toward enhancing public health and environmental protections by ensuring that all utilities operate under a unified regulatory framework and that compliance is prioritized during transitions.

Summary

House Bill 3232 focuses on facilitating the integration of non-compliant retail public utilities into regional water supply, sewer, or wastewater treatment services. The bill allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish compliance agreements with regional services, effectively suspending enforcement actions for existing or anticipated violations during the integration process. This aims to streamline operations and ensure utilities can meet regulatory standards without immediate penalties, fostering a cooperative environment for performance improvement.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 3232 is largely positive among supporters, who argue that regionalization and compliance agreements will lead to improved service delivery and regulatory adherence. Advocates from various environmental groups and policy advisors express hope that the bill will address inefficiencies and promote harm reduction in water services. Some concerns exist regarding the allowances for temporarily suspending enforcement actions, highlighting a tension between promoting compliance and holding utilities accountable for past violations.

Contention

Notable points of contention about HB 3232 center on the balance between enforcement and support for struggling utilities. While supporters praise the cooperative approach aimed at enhancing compliance without jeopardizing service continuity, critics argue that the bill might enable prolonged non-compliance under the guise of cooperation. The discussions indicate a need for careful oversight to ensure that compliance agreements genuinely lead to improvements rather than deferring necessary actions against failing systems.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Water Code

• Chapter 7. Enforcement
  • Section: 0026
  • Section: 0026
  • Section: 0026
  • Section: 0026
  • Section: 0026