Bill Caption

Relating to the safety of storage vessels.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 900, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($350,144) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.

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

SB 900 would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish a Performance Standards for Safety at Storage Vessels Program to protect water resources from the release of substances from a storage vessel in the event of an accident or natural disaster by creating safety standards for storage tanks. Storage vessel owners would be required to register with and report compliance to the TCEQ. The TCEQ would have the power to exempt storage vessels from standards if they demonstrate low enough risk levels. This bill would also require the TCEQ to create certification fees in a sufficient amount to recover costs. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on SB 900. While this bill does grow government regulation, it does not appear to create an undue burden on free markets or individual liberty. Nor is this outside of the proper scope of government involvement; Texas has a legitimate responsibility to protect public waters of this state.