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Legislative Presentations: Overview of Water Related Legislation; by Carol Batterton, Important Changes from the TCEQ Sunset Legislation; by Diane Mazuca, September 20, 2011
WEAT Legislative Update Texas Water 2011 Legislative Update Texas Water 2011
State Links: TCEQ Pharmaceutical Study (SB 1757 - 81st Session) December 2010 2010 Texas House Interim Charges 2010 Texas Senate Interim Charges
National Links: The View from Washington Bob Matthews |
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WEAT actively tracks state legislation and testifies as appropriate through collaboration between our Executive Director, Carol Batterton, WEAT President and leadership, and WEAT Knowledge Committees. During interim, regular and special sessions we actively track activities of the House Appropriations, and Senate Finance Committees, the House and Senate Committees on Natural Resources and the House Environmental Regulation Committee, among others. This site is intended to provide links to and highlights of important water and environmental bills WEAT is tracking. The 82nd Legislative Session convened at noon on Jan. 11, 2011 and concluded on May 30, 2011. The filing deadline for non-local bills was March 11, 2011. SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW PASSED BILLS TRACKED BY WEAT, WEAT TESTIMONY, COMMENT LETTERS, AND RULE MAKING INFORMATION! Nationally, WEF’s GAC monitors activities in the U.S. Congress and important regulatory activity at federal agencies. Please visit the WEF website for more information. SUNSET REVIEW OF TCEQ & TWDB The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission held its last meeting for the 82nd Session on January 12, 2011. Below are links to the final reports issued by the Sunset Advisory Commission for the TCEQ and TWDB, including a record of the final decisions adopted by the Commission. Sunset Bills PASSED
Sunset Advisory Commission Final Reports on TCEQ and TWDB TCEQ Staff Report, Responses and Final Decisions WEAT comments on TCEQ Sunset Staff Report For more information visit the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission’s website. WEAT tracked key bills in the 82nd Legislative Session in the table immediately below. For a listing of key bills tracked by WEAT from the 81st Legislative Session, please see WEAT’s full 81st report. |
| 82nd Session Bill Highlights | |||
| Bill | Summary | Rule Project No. and Schedule | Comments |
| Relating to the creation of a Don't Mess with Texas Water Program to prevent illegal dumping that affects the surface waters of this state | Stakeholder mtg. Rules complete |
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HB 571 |
Relating to the regulation of certain aggregate production operations by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; providing penalties |
2011-045-342-OW |
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| Relating to the requirement that certain water service providers ensure emergency operations during extended power outage- Filed version limited to drinking water plants in or adjacent to Harris County | Rule Proposed |
Implementation has begun. EPPs due 2-1-12 |
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| Relating to continuing education requirements for persons holding licenses issued by the TCEQ on Environmental Quality | 2011-044-030-WS |
HB 965 WEAT Testimony | |
Relating to the submission of information about critical water and wastewater facilities |
Effective immediately | PUC, Office of Emergency Management
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Relating to the continuation and functions of the TCEQ and abolishing the On-site Wastewater Treatment Research Council Compliance History
Emforcement Policy
Penalties and SEPS |
2011-034-070-CE Guidance adoption |
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| HB 3391 |
Relating to rainwater harvesting and other water conservation initiatives | 2011-057-290-OW Rulemaking and guidance Proposal 7-11-12 Adoption 12-5-12 |
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| Relating to the reporting of water conservation measures by municipalities and water utilities | 2011-058-288-OW Proposal 6-27-12 Adoptoin 11-14-12 |
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Relating to the composition and use of money in the rural water assistance fund
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Effective 9-1-11 | TWDB |
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Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space land devoted to water stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity |
Constitutional Amendment Failed in Nov. 8 General Election
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| SB 660 | Relating to a the review and functions of the Texas Water Development Board, including the functions of the board and related entities in connection with the process for establishing and appealing desired future conditions in a groundwater management area
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See SB 181 |
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| SB 1073/ HB 3372 |
Relating to standards for a structure that is connected to a public water supply system and has a rainwater harvesting system SB 1073 and HB 3372 are companion bills |
2011-057-290-OW Rulemaking and guidance Proposal 7-11-12 Adoption 12-05-12 See HB 3391 |
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Relating to payment by a water control and improvement district for certain damages caused by the district's operation of a sanitary sewer system
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Effective immediately |
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Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the TWDB
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Constitutional Amendment Passed in Nov. 8 General Election |
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| 82nd Session | Other Bills of Interest | |||
| Bill | Summary | Rule Project No. and Schedule | Comments |
| HB 240 |
Relating to requiring TCEQ to adopt rules preventing accidental or unintentional access to on-site sewage disposal systems | ||
| HB 628 |
Relating to contracts by governmental entities and related professional services and to public works performance and payment bonds | ||
SB 737 |
Relating to the management of groundwater production by groundwater
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| HB 2507 |
Relating to the offense of installing an irrigation system without a license | ||
| HB 2729 | Relating to local government authority to develop public infrastructure and facilities HB 2729 and SB 1654 are companion bills |
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| SB 18 |
Relating to the use of eminent domain authority | ||
| SB 332 |
Relating to the vested ownership interest in groundwater beneath the surface and the right to produce that groundwater | ||
| SB 430 |
Relating to written notice to a groundwater conservation district of groundwater contamination | ||
HB 1981 |
Relating to measuring, monitoring, and reporting emissions
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| SB 737 |
Relating to the management of groundwater production by groundwater conservation districts | ||
| SB 924 |
Relating to energy efficiency reports by municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives | ||
| SB 1048 |
Relating to the creation of public and private facilities and infrastructure | ||
