Bill

SB 1046

85(R) - 2017
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Energy
Energy & Environment
Environment
State Agencies

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Craig Estes

Bill Caption

Relating to sources of funding for the Texas emissions reduction plan.

Fiscal Notes

Two-year net impact on GR: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2019. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, several sections of code that are related to the Texas emissions reduction plan expire in August of 2019. SB 1046 would extend this deadline to be after the state reaches the national ambient air quality standard for ozone. This bill would also prioritize the Texas emissions reduction plan fund over the Texas Mobility Fund to receive funds from certain transportation related fees such as those for a vehicle title application.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 1046 infringes on the principle of limited government by extending the deadline for the Texas emissions reduction plan to a relative standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency and focuses some user fees on emission reductions over transportation needs. This is an area where the state should be pushing back against federal overregulation rather than simply accepting it. For these reasons, we oppose SB 1046.