Bill

HB 912

84(R) - 2015
House Environmental Regulation
House Environmental Regulation

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Jason Isaac

Bill Caption

Relating to the dismissal of protests against certain decisions and actions of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding wastewater discharge permits.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 912, if passed, would amend the Water Code (Subchapter B, Chapter 26) by adding a new section (26.0284). This section would cause the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to automatically dismiss protests filed by municipalities, regarding wastewater discharge permits, if the municipality itself is subject to less stringent requirements than the permit in question.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 912 is an excellent bill. One might hope that this sort of language would be unnecessary but unfortunately, such an addition to code is needed in order to prevent hypocrisy on the part of local governments. HB 912 prevents obstruction by essentially voiding a variety of protest methods against wastewater permits (four total, all described in the bill) by stating that a protest is illegitimate and will be ignored by the TCEQ if the standards in the permit are at least as stringent as those in the municipality. HB 912 is a concise, and pointed bill which will decrease obstruction. We support the bill.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Association of Business

Organizations Opposed

City of Austin
City of Lubbock
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Texas League of Conservation Voters
The Sierra Club