86th Texas Legislature Regular Session Pre-filed Bills: November 12-16, 2018

Monday, November 12, 2018, was the first day that Texas legislators and legislators-elect could begin filing bills for the upcoming regular session, which will last for 140 days from Tuesday, January 8, 2019 to Monday, May 27, 2019. Texas legislators may continue filing bills until Friday, March 8, 2019, which is the deadline for the unrestricted filing of bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and emergency matters submitted by the governor. The 86th Texas Legislature has filed the following bills pertaining to environmental issues throughout the state.

House of Representatives:

• HB 26: Relating to the creation of an alert system to notify affected persons of certain releases of water from certain dams.
• HB 70: Relating to a strategic plan goal by the Department of Agriculture to prevent crop diseases in this state.
• HB 100: Relating to information on projected changes in weather and water availability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.
• HB 136: Relating to pollinator health.
• HB 137: Relating to reports by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality about dams that have certain hazard classifications.
• HB 191: Relating to the disposal of pesticides.
• HB 223: Relating to the funding through greenhouse gas emissions fees of energy efficiency programs administered by certain utilities; authorizing a fee.
• HB 225: Relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements for air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities.
• HB 286: Relating to promotion of the use of recyclable materials as feedstock for manufacturing.
• HCR 15: Urging the United States Congress to conduct a cost-benefit analysis regarding the risks of climate change and appropriate measures to address them.
• HJR 11: Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.

Senate:

• SB 116: Relating to industrial hemp; requiring an occupational license; authorizing fees.
• SB 179: Relating to the establishment of a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on flood control infrastructure for Harris County.
• SB 180: Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities.
• SB 185: Relating to the response to certain oil or gas well accidents by state agencies and responsible parties.