Bill Text: TX HB3249 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the use of Texas emissions reduction plan funds for a study conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-05-09 - Placed on General State Calendar [HB3249 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB3249-Introduced.html

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86R13492 JRR-F
By: Kacal H.B. No. 3249

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of Texas emissions reduction plan funds for a
study conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 386.051(b), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) Under the plan, the commission and the comptroller shall
provide grants or other funding for:
(1) the diesel emissions reduction incentive program
established under Subchapter C, including for infrastructure
projects established under that subchapter;
(2) the motor vehicle purchase or lease incentive
program established under Subchapter D;
(3) the air quality research support program
established under Chapter 387;
(4) the clean school bus program established under
Chapter 390;
(5) the new technology implementation grant program
established under Chapter 391;
(6) the regional air monitoring program established
under Section 386.252(a);
(7) a health effects study as provided by Section
386.252(a);
(8) air quality planning activities as provided by
Section 386.252(d);
(9) a contract with the Energy Systems Laboratory at
the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station for computation of
creditable statewide emissions reductions as provided by Section
386.252(a);
(10) the Texas clean fleet program established under
Chapter 392;
(11) the Texas alternative fueling facilities program
established under Chapter 393;
(12) the Texas natural gas vehicle grant program
established under Chapter 394;
(13) other programs the commission may develop that
lead to reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter,
or volatile organic compounds in a nonattainment area or affected
county;
(14) other programs the commission may develop that
support congestion mitigation to reduce mobile source ozone
precursor emissions;
(15) the seaport and rail yard areas emissions
reduction program established under Subchapter D-1;
(16) conducting research and other activities
associated with making any necessary demonstrations to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency to account for the impact of
foreign emissions or an exceptional event;
(17) studies of or pilot programs for incentives for
port authorities located in nonattainment areas or affected
counties as provided by Section 386.252(a); [and]
(18) the governmental alternative fuel fleet grant
program established under Chapter 395; and
(19) a contract with the Texas A&M Transportation
Institute to conduct a study as provided by Section 386.252(a).
SECTION 2. Section 386.252(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Money in the fund may be used only to implement and
administer programs established under the plan. Subject to the
reallocation of funds by the commission under Subsection (h), money
appropriated to the commission to be used for the programs under
Section 386.051(b) shall initially be allocated as follows:
(1) four percent may be used for the clean school bus
program under Chapter 390;
(2) three percent may be used for the new technology
implementation grant program under Chapter 391, from which at least
$1 million will be set aside for electricity storage projects
related to renewable energy;
(3) five percent may be used for the Texas clean fleet
program under Chapter 392;
(4) not more than $3 million may be used by the
commission to fund a regional air monitoring program in commission
Regions 3 and 4 to be implemented under the commission's oversight,
including direction regarding the type, number, location, and
operation of, and data validation practices for, monitors funded by
the program through a regional nonprofit entity located in North
Texas having representation from counties, municipalities, higher
education institutions, and private sector interests across the
area;
(5) 10 percent may be used for the Texas natural gas
vehicle grant program under Chapter 394;
(6) not more than $6 million may be used for the Texas
alternative fueling facilities program under Chapter 393, of which
a specified amount may be used for fueling stations to provide
natural gas fuel, except that money may not be allocated for the
Texas alternative fueling facilities program for the state fiscal
year ending August 31, 2019;
(7) not more than $750,000 may be used each year to
support research related to air quality as provided by Chapter 387;
(8) not more than $200,000 may be used for a health
effects study;
(9) at least $6 million but not more than $8 million is
allocated to the commission for administrative costs, including all
direct and indirect costs for administering the plan, costs for
conducting outreach and education activities, and costs
attributable to the review or approval of applications for
marketable emissions reduction credits;
(10) six percent may be used by the commission for the
seaport and rail yard areas emissions reduction program established
under Subchapter D-1;
(11) five percent may be used for the light-duty motor
vehicle purchase or lease incentive program established under
Subchapter D;
(12) not more than $216,000 is allocated to the
commission to contract with the Energy Systems Laboratory at the
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station annually for the
development and annual computation of creditable statewide
emissions reductions obtained through wind and other renewable
energy resources for the state implementation plan;
(13) not more than $500,000 may be used for studies of
or pilot programs for incentives for port authorities located in
nonattainment areas or affected counties to encourage cargo
movement that reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate
matter; [and]
(14) not more than $250,000 shall be allocated to the
commission to contract with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute
to conduct a study to evaluate the relationship between traffic
congestion and ozone precursors and to identify effective
strategies in reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from
transportation sources; and
(15) the balance is to be used by the commission for
the diesel emissions reduction incentive program under Subchapter C
as determined by the commission.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.