85th Texas Legislature Regular Session Update – January 26, 2017 Prefiled Bills

The 85th Texas Legislature has filed the following bills pertaining to the environment.

House Bills

•  HB 489 – Relating to the creation of a waste tire dumping enforcement grant program; authorizing a fee.
• HB 544 – Relating to the use of the rural water assistance fund.
• HB 572– Relating to the disposal of pesticides.
• HB 605– Relating to the consideration by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of the economic impact of an appropriation of state water in determining whether to grant an application for the appropriation.
• HB 614– Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right.
• HB 641– Relating to the continuation of the Red River Boundary Commission.
• HB 642– Relating to the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas
• HB 643– Relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land on the basis of its use for wildlife management.
• HB 645– Relating to regulation of production of wells for retail public utilities by a groundwater conservation district.
• HB 773– Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.
• HB 801– Relating to the repeal of the additional ad valorem taxes imposed as a result of certain changes in the use of open-space land appraised as agricultural land.
• HB 815– Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• HB 838– Relating to the consideration of the cumulative effects of air contaminant emissions in the emissions permitting process.
• HB 922– Relating to the creation of the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose fees.
• HB 950– Relating to the qualification of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.
• HB 1115– Relating to the definition of “affected person” for purposes of a contested case hearing held by or for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding certain environmental permit applications.
• HB 1168– Relating to the mineral use of land that has been subdivided for energy development resulting in the generation of electricity.
• HB 1318– Relating to regulation of production of wells for retail public utilities by a groundwater conservation district.
• HJR 47– Proposing a constitutional amendment to change the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Energy Commission and to mandate that there be such an agency.
• HCR 43– Directing the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to support the creation of a model water recycling project.

Senate Bills

• SB 26– Relating to the Texas emissions reduction plan and other related programs and measures to reduce emissions.
• SB 277– Relating to the eligibility of certain property for certain ad valorem tax incentives relating to wind-powered energy devices.
• SB 287– Relating to the designation of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin as the state botanical garden and arboretum.
• SB 330– Relating to the qualification of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.
• SB 347– Relating to the applicability of open meetings and public information laws to regional water planning groups and their committees.
• SB 551– Relating to inaccurate or incomplete permit applications for solid waste facilities.
• SB 568– Relating to the posting by the Railroad Commission of Texas on its Internet website of certain enforcement information.
• SB 569– Relating to a review and report by the Railroad Commission of Texas regarding the oversight and enforcement of unpermitted discharges of oil and gas waste or of other substances or materials associated with certain operations or activities regulated by the commission.
• SB 570– Relating to the regulation of the retention, storage, transportation, and disposal of used or scrap tires; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.