Bill: SB 1666, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development

Companion Bill

HB 2675

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Positive Neutral Positive Positive Positive

Author(s)

Kelly Hancock

Bill Caption

Relating to exempting manufacturers engaged in commercial research and development from certain provisions of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 1666, if passed, would modify the Health and Safety Code (Section 481.080) by allowing certain manufacturers to be exempt from certain provisions of the Texas Controlled Substance Act. Namely, commercial chemical manufacturers meeting certain requirements would no longer have to adhere to Section 481.080 of the Health and Safety Code. This section deals with record keeping requirements (Chemical Laboratory Apparatus Record-Keeping Requirements and Penalties).

Vote Recommendation Notes

The motivation behind CSSB 1666 is sound. The rationale for the bill is that record keeping requirements put in place by Section 481.080 are burdensome to the industries involved. These requirements were put in place to curtail the illegal manufacture of controlled substances but apply broadly to the manufacture of products used widely for legitimate purposes. As the bill author's statement of intent helpfully explains:

"To reduce redundant measures and requirements, C.S.S.B 1666 excepts certain chemical manufacturers who are engaged in legal chemical manufacturing activities in a high security environment from burdensome recordkeeping and reporting requirements. To qualify for the exception, a manufacturer must operate a secure, restricted location with a plant that is not open to the public and to which entry is constantly monitored by security personnel. The manufacturer must hold either a Voluntary Protection Program certification by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) or a Facility Operations Area authorization under the Texas Risk Reduction Program."

Because it removes unnecessary state requirements from private industry, this legislation supports personal responsibility, individual liberty, free markets, and limited government. As such,we support CSSB 1666.



Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 07:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb1666?print_view=true