Bill Text: TX HB2354 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the stringency of environmental regulations adopted by state agencies.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-23 - Left pending in committee [HB2354 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB2354-Introduced.html
  83R3930 JAM-D
 
  By: White H.B. No. 2354
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the stringency of environmental regulations adopted by
  state agencies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 2001.0225, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 2001.0225.  ADOPTION [REGULATORY ANALYSIS] OF CERTAIN
  [MAJOR] ENVIRONMENTAL RULES PROHIBITED.
         SECTION 2.  Section 2001.0225(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding any other law, [This section applies
  only to a major environmental rule adopted by] a state agency may
  not by rule adopt an environmental standard or requirement[,] the
  result of which is to:
               (1)  exceed a standard set by federal law, unless the
  rule is specifically required by state law;
               (2)  exceed an express requirement of state law, unless
  the rule is specifically required by federal law;
               (3)  exceed a requirement of a delegation agreement or
  contract between the state and an agency or representative of the
  federal government to implement a state and federal program; or
               (4)  adopt a rule solely under the general powers of the
  agency instead of under a specific state law.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 2001.035(a) and (b), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A rule is voidable unless a state agency adopts it in
  substantial compliance with Section 2001.0225 and the procedural
  requirements of Sections 2001.023 [2001.0225] through 2001.034.
         (b)  A person must initiate a proceeding to contest a rule on
  the ground of noncompliance with Section 2001.0225 or the
  procedural requirements of Sections 2001.023 [2001.0225] through
  2001.034 not later than the second anniversary of the effective
  date of the rule.
         SECTION 4.  Section 2001.040, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 2001.040.  SCOPE AND EFFECT OF ORDER INVALIDATING
  AGENCY RULE. If a court finds that an agency has not substantially
  complied with Section 2001.0225 or one or more procedural
  requirements of Sections 2001.023 [2001.0225] through 2001.034,
  the court may remand the rule, or a portion of the rule, to the
  agency and, if it does so remand, shall provide a reasonable time
  for the agency to either revise or readopt the rule through
  established procedure. During the remand period, the rule shall
  remain effective unless the court finds good cause to invalidate
  the rule or a portion of the rule, effective as of the date of the
  court's order.
         SECTION 5.  Section 382.0173(d), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  This section applies only while the federal rules cited
  in this section are enforceable.  The [and does not limit the
  authority of the] commission may not [to] implement more stringent
  emissions control requirements than are required by federal law.
         SECTION 6.  Section 382.051961(b), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commission may not adopt a new permit by rule or a
  new standard permit or amend an existing permit by rule or an
  existing standard permit relating to a facility to which this
  section applies unless the commission:
               (1)  [conducts a regulatory analysis as provided by
  Section 2001.0225, Government Code;
               [(2)]  determines, based on the evaluation of credible
  air quality monitoring data, that the emissions limits or other
  emissions-related requirements of the permit are necessary to
  ensure that the intent of this chapter is not contravened,
  including the protection of the public's health and physical
  property;
               (2) [(3)]  establishes any required emissions limits
  or other emissions-related requirements based on:
                     (A)  the evaluation of credible air quality
  monitoring data; and
                     (B)  credible air quality modeling that is not
  based on the worst-case scenario of emissions or other worst-case
  modeling scenarios unless the actual air quality monitoring data
  and evaluation of that data indicate that the worst-case scenario
  of emissions or other worst-case modeling scenarios yield modeling
  results that reflect the actual air quality monitoring data and
  evaluation; and
               (3) [(4)]  considers whether the requirements of the
  permit should be imposed only on facilities that are located in a
  particular geographic region of the state.
         SECTION 7.  Section 91.602(b), Natural Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The rules adopted by the commission under this section
  must be consistent with the hazardous waste regulations adopted by
  the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection
  Agency under the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the
  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. Section
  6901 et seq.). [The commission may adopt and enforce rules that are
  more stringent than the federal hazardous waste regulations if
  necessary to protect human health.]
         SECTION 8.  Section 26.357(b), Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  The commission may not impose standards or rules more
  stringent than the federal requirements [unless the commission
  determines that more stringent standards or rules are necessary to
  protect human health or the environment].
         SECTION 9.  Section 27.020, Water Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 27.020.  MINING OF SULFUR. The commission is
  authorized to develop a regulatory program with respect to the
  injection of fluid associated with the mining of sulfur by the
  Frasch process in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
  The commission may not impose any requirements more stringent than
  those promulgated by the administrator of the United States
  Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal Safe
  Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300h et seq., as amended[, unless the
  commission determines that more stringent regulations are
  necessary to protect human health or the environment].
         SECTION 10.  Sections 2001.0225(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and
  (g), Government Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 11.  (a) Not later than September 1, 2014, a state
  agency shall adopt rules to comply with Section 2001.0225,
  Government Code, as amended by this Act.
         (b)  A rule or policy of a state agency that does not meet the
  requirements of Section 2001.0225, Government Code, as amended by
  this Act, remains in effect only until the earlier of:
               (1)  the date the rule or policy is revised by the
  agency under Subsection (a) of this section; or
               (2)  September 1, 2014.
         SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect immediately if it
  receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
  house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  
  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
  effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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