HBA-SEP S.B. 905 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 905 By: Shapleigh Environmental Regulation 5/4/2001 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, there are more than 400 brick-making kilns in Juarez, Mexico that are a significant source of air pollution for the El Paso-Juarez area. Senate Bill 905 requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to conduct a study of the brick-making process of brick production facilities near both sides of the border between Texas and Mexico. 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 Senate Bill 905 requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to conduct a study of the brick-making process of brick production facilities near both sides of the border between this state and Mexico. TNRCC is required to survey current fuel sources for kilns. In conducting the study, TNRCC is required to solicit the advice of experts from institutions of higher education, government, and industry of the United States and Mexico on efficient processes and fuels for maintaining proper temperatures for brick production while minimizing emissions of air pollutants. TNRCC is required to issue a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives that summarizes the information gathered in and conclusions of the study and that highlights the recommendations. The report must be issued not later than January 1, 2003. This Act expires January 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment No. 1 specifies that the study of the brick-making process of brick production facilities near both sides of the border between this state and Mexico which is required to be performed by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission is in cooperation with the joint advisory committee for improvement of air quality.