HBA-AMW H.B. 332 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 332
By: McClendon
Environmental Regulation
3/15/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the recent Sunset Advisory Commission hearings on the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), citizens testified that when an
environmental problem in their area is reported on holidays or weekends,
TNRCC is often not available to confirm the problem for several days.
Currently, TNRCC has no after-hours program to respond to complaints
involving potential threats to public health and safety or the environment.
House Bill 332 requires TNRCC to establish a 24-hour telephone line that is
available to the public for emergency complaints regarding matters under
TNRCC's jurisdiction and to establish rules for immediate action in
response to these complaints. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission in SECTION 1 (Sec. 5.127, Water Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 332 amends the Water Code to require the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to provide a telephone line that is
available to the public 24 hours a day and seven days a week for emergency
complaints relating to an entity regulated by or a matter under the
jurisdiction of TNRCC. 

The bill requires TNRCC to establish by rule procedures for immediate TNRCC
action in response to a complaint made outside regular business hours
regarding an emergency that presents a threat to the environment or to the
public health and safety.  The bill also requires TNRCC to implement these
provisions as soon as practicable after September 1, 2001. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.