Bill Text: TX HB389 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the purchase of plastic bulk merchandise containers by certain businesses; providing a civil penalty.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-16 - Referred to Environmental Regulation [HB389 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HB389-Introduced.html
  82R2867 ATP-F
 
  By: Cook H.B. No. 389
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the purchase of plastic bulk merchandise containers by
  certain businesses; providing a civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 204.002, Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (d), (e),
  and (f) to read as follows:
         (c)  A person who is in the business of recycling, shredding,
  or destroying plastic bulk merchandise containers:
               (1)  may not pay for the purchase of any plastic bulk
  merchandise container with cash; and
               (2)  shall, for each transaction in which the person
  purchases one or more plastic bulk merchandise containers, record
  the method of payment used to purchase the containers.
         (d)  A record made under Subsection (c)(2) shall be attached
  to a record made or obtained under Subsection (a) if a record is
  required under that subsection.
         (e)  A person who violates Subsection (a) or (b) is liable to
  this state for a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation.
         (f)  A person who violates Subsection (c) is liable to this
  state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for
  each violation. Each cash transaction made in violation of
  Subsection (c)(1) is a separate violation for purposes of imposing
  a penalty under this subsection. In determining the amount of the
  civil penalty imposed under this subsection, the court shall
  consider the amount necessary to deter future violations.
         SECTION 2.  Section 204.004(a), Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The attorney general or appropriate prosecuting
  attorney may:
               (1)  inspect a record retained by a person under
  Section 204.002;
               (2)  investigate an alleged violation of this chapter;
  and
               (3) [(2)]  sue to collect a civil penalty under this
  chapter.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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