HBA-JEK, AMW H.B. 3483 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3483
By: Ramsay
Environmental Regulation
6/5/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

To meet mandated air emission reduction standards, coal-fueled power plants
are looking to develop advanced coal utilization technologies.  The United
States Congress has appropriated funds for the research, development, and
deployment of clean coal technologies, but prior to the 77th Legislature,
there was no statewide initiative to study, develop, and encourage
voluntary implementation of these technologies.  Clean coal technologies
have the potential to be more energy efficient and reliable than existing
coal technologies and to provide a substantial reduction in emissions
compared with existing coal technologies.  House Bill 3483 creates the
Clean Coal Technology Council to coordinate actions of state agencies for
the study and development of clean coal technology and pilot projects in
Texas.   

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 3483 amends the Government Code to create the Clean Coal
Technology Council (council) to perform legislative oversight of, and
coordinate actions of state agencies regarding, the study and development
of clean coal technology and pilot projects in Texas.  The bill provides
that the council is composed of: 

 _three state senators appointed by the lieutenant governor, with one
designated as co-chair of the council; 

 _three state representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives, with one designated as co-chair of the council; 

 _one member of the public to be appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

 _one member of the public to be appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives. 

The bill sets forth provisions regarding council member terms and meetings
and provides for the administration and operation of the council.  The bill
specifies that the council is subject to provisions regarding open
meetings, open records, and the Administrative Procedure Act.   

H.B. 3483 requires the council to coordinate the activities of the state
agency designated by the council to provide administrative support to the
council (designated agency) with regard to clean coal technology charges of
the council.  The bill requires the council to provide direction to the
designated agency regarding studying or developing clean coal technologies
or requests for proposals for a pilot project in Texas that may assist the
council in evaluating technologies, assessing economics, evaluating the
environmental benefits, seeking funding, evaluating the useful life of a
pilot project, or determining the importance of clean coal technologies to
energy policy in Texas.   
 
The bill sets forth provisions regarding the other duties of the council
and requires the council to file with the governor, lieutenant governor,
and speaker of the house of representatives, before January 1 of each
odd-numbered year, a report of the council's activities during the two
proceeding years and any recommendations for legislation with regard to the
pilot projects and to publish the report.  The bill also requires the
designated agency to maintain a public file relating to the council and to
make available to the public a copy of any council report that is provided
to the legislature. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.