HBA-TBM H.B. 3315 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3315
By: Ramsay
County Affairs
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

State law authorizes the commissioners court of a county to prohibit
certain outdoor burning activities in areas where drought conditions exist
if it is to the benefit of the public.  The law provided exceptions from
the burn ban, but activities relating to planting agriculture crops were
not exempt prior to the 77th Legislature.  House Bill 3315 provides that
such activities are exempt from the burn ban, and requires the Prescribed
Burning Board to adopt standards and procedures regarding outdoor burning.

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3315 amends the Local Government Code to exempt outdoor burning
activities related to planting agriculture crops and prescribed burns that
are authorized by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission for
the benefit of public health and safety from the burn ban applied to
counties experiencing drought conditions.  The bill also exempts burns
conducted in compliance with standards and procedures adopted by the
Prescribed Burning Board (board), and requires the board to adopt standards
and procedures regarding outdoor burning.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.