HBA-MPM H.B. 3288 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3288
By: Greenberg
Environmental Regulation
7/19/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Sewage sludge treated to Class A standards as defined by the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) may be used by the general public
as fertilizer and soil enhancement.  Prior to the 76th Legislature, TNRCC
was required to impose a fee for all solid waste, regardless of the level
of treatment it had received.  H.B. 3288 eliminates the fee for sewage
sludge that has been treated to Class A standards, thereby allowing
municipalities and utilities to sell this treated sludge to reduce
management costs, divert waste from landfills, and recycle a valuable
product. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 361.013(i), Health and Safety Code, to include
among other fees that the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
(TNRCC) is prohibited from charging under Subsection (a) (regarding fees
charged for solid waste that is disposed of within this state) a fee for
the disposal of sewage sludge that has been treated to reduce the density
of pathogens to the lowest level provided by TNRCC rules and complies with
TNRCC rules regarding metal concentration limits, pathogen reduction, and
vector attraction reduction.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.