88R13980 JXC-D
By: Miles S.B. No. 2128
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Task Force on Concrete Plants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. TASK FORCE ON CONCRETE PLANTS. (a) The Task
Force on Concrete Plants is established.
(b) The task force shall consult with experts on and study
the effects of air and noise pollution caused by concrete batch and
crushing plants in this state. After completing the study, the task
force shall:
(1) develop recommendations for legislation to:
(A) reduce air and noise pollution caused by
concrete batch and crushing plants;
(B) improve the processes for issuing permits for
and inspecting concrete batch and crushing plants; and
(C) improve enforcement of statutes and rules
that apply to concrete batch and crushing plants; and
(2) identify best practices to reduce air and noise
pollution caused by concrete batch and crushing plants.
(c) The task force is composed of the following members:
(1) two members of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(2) two members of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(3) the executive director of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality or the director's designee; and
(4) seven members appointed by the governor as
follows:
(A) one member to represent concrete batch and
crushing plant operators;
(B) one member to represent an institution of
higher education in the state who must have published research
regarding environmental pollutants;
(C) one member who is a toxicologist certified by
the American Board of Toxicology or an equivalent entity;
(D) one member who is a professional with
experience in geographic information systems; and
(E) three members to represent community
organizations who each reside not more than five miles from a
concrete batch or crushing plant.
(d) The governor shall designate one member of the task
force to serve as the presiding officer.
(e) A member of the task force is not entitled to
compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's
travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code, and
the General Appropriations Act.
(f) Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall:
(1) compile a report of its findings and
recommendations; and
(2) submit the report to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.
(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to this
task force.
(h) The task force is abolished and this Act expires on
January 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS. As soon as practicable
after the effective date of this Act, the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall
appoint members to the Task Force on Concrete Plants as required by
this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2023.