Bill

HB 2092

85(R) - 2017
House Environmental Regulation
House Environmental Regulation
Environment

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Geanie Morrison

Bill Caption

Relating to a prohibition of the land application of grease or grit trap waste.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 2092 would amend the Health and Safety Code to prohibit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) from issuing a permit, registration, or other authorization for land application of grit trap waste or grease trap waste, with a few exceptions.

Vote Recommendation Notes

It is our understanding that this legislation relates to one specific private company which was issued a TCEQ permit for land application of grit trap waste. There does not appear to be a scientific consensus on whether the permit has had a negative impact. It is our view that this bill is a violation of limited government because the legislature would be determining the fate of this permit which is supported by the current permit holder and opposed by the competition, essentially taking sides in a private dispute. Authority to grant the permit or not should remain vested in the TCEQ which is a neutral agency staffed with people whose job is to make scientifically-based rather than political decisions. For this reason we oppose HB 2092.

Organizations Supporting

Clean Water Action
County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas
Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas Association of Counties
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Texas Conference of Urban Counties
Water Environment Association of Texas 

Organizations Opposed

Texas Association of Business