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.