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AN ACT
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relating to the storage of certain hazardous chemicals; |
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transferring enforcement of certain reporting requirements, |
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including the imposition of criminal, civil, and administrative |
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penalties, from the Department of State Health Services to the |
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Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; amending provisions |
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subject to a criminal penalty; reenacting a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 63.151, Agriculture Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivisions (3), (4), and (5) to read as follows: |
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(3) "Ammonium nitrate storage facility" means a |
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facility that stores ammonium nitrate material or ammonium nitrate |
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to be used in ammonium nitrate material and includes the premises on |
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which a facility is located. |
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(4) "Fire marshal" means the state fire marshal or a |
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local fire marshal, fire chief, or volunteer fire chief having |
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jurisdiction over the area in which an ammonium nitrate storage |
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facility is located. |
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(5) "Operator" means the person who controls the |
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day-to-day operations of an ammonium nitrate storage facility. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 63, Agriculture Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 63.158 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 63.158. FIRE PREVENTION AT AMMONIUM NITRATE STORAGE |
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FACILITIES. (a) The owner or operator of an ammonium nitrate |
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storage facility shall, on request, at a reasonable time: |
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(1) allow a fire marshal to enter the facility to make |
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a thorough examination of the facility; and |
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(2) allow the local fire department access to the |
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facility to perform a pre-fire planning assessment. |
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(b) A fire marshal who determines the presence of one or |
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more of the following hazardous conditions that endangers the |
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safety of a structure or its occupants by promoting or causing fire |
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or combustion shall notify the owner or operator of the facility of |
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the need to correct the condition. The hazardous conditions are: |
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(1) the presence of a flammable substance; |
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(2) a dangerous or dilapidated wall, ceiling, or other |
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structural element; |
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(3) improper electrical components, heating, or other |
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building services or facilities; |
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(4) the presence of a dangerous chimney, flue, pipe, |
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main, or stove, or of dangerous wiring; |
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(5) the dangerous storage of substances other than |
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ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate material, including storage or |
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use of hazardous substances; or |
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(6) inappropriate means of egress, fire protection, or |
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other fire-related safeguard. |
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(c) The owner or operator of an ammonium nitrate storage |
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facility shall: |
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(1) on request by a fire marshal or the service provide |
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evidence of compliance with: |
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(A) Chapter 505 or 507, Health and Safety Code, |
|
as applicable; and |
|
(B) United States Department of Homeland |
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Security registration requirements; |
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(2) post National Fire Protection Association 704 |
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warning placards on the outside of the storage area; |
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(3) store ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate |
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material: |
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(A) in a fertilizer storage compartment or bin |
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constructed of wood, metal, or concrete that is protected against |
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impregnation by the ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate material; |
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and |
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(B) separately from any non-fertilizer |
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materials; and |
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(4) separate ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate |
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material from combustible or flammable material by 30 feet or more. |
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(d) A fire marshal who identifies the existence of a |
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hazardous condition under Subsection (b) or a violation of |
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Subsection (a) or (c) shall notify the service of the condition or |
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violation. |
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(e) If notified by a fire marshal of a hazardous condition |
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under Subsection (b), the service may direct the owner or operator |
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of the facility to correct the condition. |
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(f) If notified by the fire marshal of a violation of |
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Subsection (a) or (c), the service shall: |
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(1) direct the owner or operator of the facility to |
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correct the violation as provided by Subsection (g); or |
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(2) take appropriate enforcement action as authorized |
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by this chapter. |
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(g) If directed by the service to correct a hazardous |
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condition or a violation, an owner or operator shall remedy the |
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condition or violation before the expiration of a period specified |
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by the service, which may not exceed 10 days. If the service |
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determines that the condition or violation has not been remedied |
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before the expiration of the specified period, the service shall |
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take appropriate enforcement action as authorized by this chapter. |
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(h) Section 419.909(b), Government Code, does not apply to |
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an examination of an ammonium nitrate storage facility by a fire |
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marshal under this section. |
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SECTION 3. Section 505.002(b), Health and Safety Code, as |
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amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to ensure |
|
that accessibility to information regarding hazardous chemicals is |
|
provided to: |
|
(1) fire departments responsible for dealing with |
|
chemical hazards during an emergency; |
|
(2) local emergency planning committees and other |
|
emergency planning organizations; and |
|
(3) the commission [department] to make the |
|
information available to the public through specific procedures. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 505.004, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subdivisions (3-a) and (8-a), as added by S.B. |
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No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, and |
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amending Subdivisions (12) and (23) to read as follows: |
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(3-a) "Commission" ["Commissioner"] means the Texas |
|
Commission on Environmental Quality [commissioner of state health
|
|
services]. |
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(8-a) "Executive director" ["Executive commissioner"] |
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means the executive director of the commission [executive
|
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission]. |
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(12) "Fire chief" means the [elected or paid] |
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administrative head of a fire department, including a volunteer |
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fire department. |
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(23) "Tier two form" means: |
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(A) a form specified by the commission |
|
[department] under Section 505.006 for listing hazardous chemicals |
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as required by EPCRA; or |
|
(B) a form accepted by the EPA under EPCRA for |
|
listing hazardous chemicals together with additional information |
|
required by the commission [department] for administering its |
|
functions related to EPCRA. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 505.005(d), Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) The commission [department] shall develop and implement |
|
an outreach program concerning the public's ability to obtain |
|
information under this chapter similar to the outreach program |
|
under Section 502.008. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 505.006, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (f), as amended by |
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S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, |
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amending Subsections (e) and (g), and adding Subsections (e-1) and |
|
(e-2) to read as follows: |
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(a) For the purpose of community right-to-know, a facility |
|
operator covered by this chapter shall compile and maintain a tier |
|
two form that contains information on hazardous chemicals present |
|
in the facility in quantities that meet or exceed thresholds |
|
determined by the EPA in 40 CFR Part 370, or at any other reporting |
|
thresholds as determined by commission [department] rule for |
|
certain highly toxic or extremely hazardous substances. |
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(c) Each tier two form shall be filed annually with the |
|
commission, along with the appropriate fee, according to the |
|
procedures specified by commission [department] rules. [The
|
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facility operator shall furnish a copy of each tier two form to the
|
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fire chief of the fire department having jurisdiction over the
|
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facility and to the appropriate local emergency planning
|
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committee.] |
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(e) Except as provided by Section 505.0061(c), a [A] |
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facility operator shall file the tier two form with the commission |
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[department] not later than the 90th day after the date on which the |
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operator begins operation or has a reportable addition, at the |
|
appropriate threshold, of a previously unreported hazardous |
|
chemical or extremely hazardous substance. |
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(e-1) Except as provided by Section 505.0061(c), a facility |
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operator shall file an updated tier two form with the commission: |
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(1) not later than the 90th day after the date on which |
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the operator has a change in the chemical weight range, as listed in |
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40 C.F.R. Part 370, of a previously reported hazardous chemical or |
|
extremely hazardous substance; and |
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(2) as otherwise required by commission rule. |
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(e-2) A facility operator shall furnish a copy of each tier |
|
two form and updated tier two form filed with the commission under |
|
this section to the fire chief of the fire department having |
|
jurisdiction over the facility and to the appropriate local |
|
emergency planning committee. [The operator shall furnish a copy
|
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of each tier two form to the fire chief of the fire department
|
|
having jurisdiction over the facility and to the appropriate local
|
|
emergency planning committee.] |
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(f) A facility operator shall file a safety data sheet with |
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the commission [department] on the commission's [department's] |
|
request. |
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(g) The commission [department] shall maintain records of |
|
the tier two forms and other documents filed under this chapter or |
|
EPCRA for at least 30 years. |
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SECTION 7. Chapter 505, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 505.0061 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 505.0061. REPORTING FOR FACILITIES STORING AMMONIUM |
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NITRATE USED IN FERTILIZER. (a) In this section, "ammonium |
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nitrate" and "ammonium nitrate storage facility" have the meanings |
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assigned by Section 63.151, Agriculture Code. |
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(b) As soon as practicable but not later than 72 hours after |
|
the commission receives a tier two form reporting the presence of |
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ammonium nitrate at an ammonium nitrate storage facility, the |
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commission shall furnish a copy of the form to the state fire |
|
marshal and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The state |
|
fire marshal shall furnish a copy of the form to the chief of the |
|
fire department having jurisdiction over the facility. The Texas |
|
Division of Emergency Management shall furnish a copy of the form to |
|
the appropriate local emergency planning committee. |
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(c) The operator of an ammonium nitrate storage facility |
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shall file: |
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(1) a tier two form with the commission not later than |
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72 hours after the operator: |
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(A) begins operation; or |
|
(B) has a reportable addition, at the appropriate |
|
threshold, of previously unreported ammonium nitrate; and |
|
(2) an updated tier two form not later than 72 hours |
|
after the operator has a change in the chemical weight range, as |
|
listed in 40 C.F.R. Part 370, of previously reported ammonium |
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nitrate. |
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SECTION 8. Sections 505.007(c) and (d), Health and Safety |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(c) Any facility that has received five requests under |
|
Subsection (a) in a calendar month, four requests in a calendar |
|
month for two or more months in a row, or more than 10 requests in a |
|
year may elect to furnish the material to the commission |
|
[department]. |
|
(d) Any facility electing to furnish the material to the |
|
commission [department] under Subsection (c) may during that same |
|
filing period inform persons making requests under Subsection (a) |
|
of the availability of the information at the commission |
|
[department] and refer the request to the commission [department] |
|
for that filing period. The notice to persons making requests shall |
|
state the address of the commission [department] and shall be |
|
mailed within seven days of the date of receipt of the request, if |
|
by mail, and at the time of the request if in person. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 505.008(b), Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A facility operator, on request, shall give the fire |
|
chief or the local emergency planning committee such additional |
|
information on types and amounts of hazardous chemicals present at |
|
a facility as the requestor may need for emergency planning |
|
purposes. A facility operator, on request, shall give the |
|
executive director [commissioner], the fire chief, or the local |
|
emergency planning committee a copy of the SDS for any chemical on |
|
the tier two form furnished under Section 505.006 or for any |
|
chemical present at the facility. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 505.009, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 505.009. COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. On |
|
presentation of appropriate credentials, a commission [department] |
|
representative may enter a facility at reasonable times to inspect |
|
and investigate complaints. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 505.016, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 505.016. RULES; FEES. (a) The commission [executive
|
|
commissioner] may adopt rules and administrative procedures |
|
reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. |
|
(b) The commission [executive commissioner] by rule may |
|
authorize the collection of annual fees from facility operators for |
|
the filing of tier two forms required by this chapter. Except as |
|
provided by Subsection (d), fees may be used only to fund activities |
|
under this chapter. The fee for facilities may not exceed: |
|
(1) $100 for each required submission having no more |
|
than 25 hazardous chemicals or hazardous chemical categories; |
|
(2) $200 for each required submission having no more |
|
than 50 hazardous chemicals or hazardous chemical categories; |
|
(3) $300 for each required submission having no more |
|
than 75 hazardous chemicals or hazardous chemical categories; |
|
(4) $400 for each required submission having no more |
|
than 100 hazardous chemicals or hazardous chemical categories; or |
|
(5) $500 for each required submission having more than |
|
100 hazardous chemicals or chemical categories. |
|
(c) To minimize the fees, the commission [executive
|
|
commissioner] by rule shall provide for consolidated filings of |
|
multiple tier two forms for facility operators covered by |
|
Subsection (b) if each of the tier two forms contains fewer than 25 |
|
items. |
|
(d) The commission [department] may use up to 20 percent of |
|
the fees collected under this section as grants to local emergency |
|
planning committees to assist them to fulfill their |
|
responsibilities under EPCRA. An amount not to exceed [The
|
|
department may use up to] 15 percent of the fees collected under |
|
this chapter and Chapter 506, or 15 percent of the amount of fees |
|
paid by the state and its political subdivisions under Chapter 506, |
|
whichever is greater, may be used by the Department of State Health |
|
Services to administer Chapter 502. |
|
SECTION 12. Chapter 505, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
|
by adding Section 505.018 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 505.018. ENFORCEMENT. (a) A facility operator may not |
|
violate this chapter, commission rules adopted under this chapter, |
|
or an order issued under this chapter. |
|
(b) The commission may enforce this chapter under Chapter 7, |
|
Water Code, including by issuing an administrative order that |
|
assesses a penalty or orders a corrective action. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 506.002(b), Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to ensure |
|
that accessibility to information regarding hazardous chemicals |
|
[chemical] is provided to: |
|
(1) fire departments responsible for dealing with |
|
chemical hazards during an emergency; |
|
(2) local emergency planning committees and other |
|
emergency planning organizations; and |
|
(3) the commission [department] to make the |
|
information available to the public through specific procedures. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 506.004, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subdivisions (3-a) and (8-a), as added by S.B. |
|
No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, and |
|
amending Subdivisions (12) and (24) to read as follows: |
|
(3-a) "Commission" ["Commissioner"] means the Texas |
|
Commission on Environmental Quality [commissioner of state health
|
|
services]. |
|
(8-a) "Executive director" ["Executive commissioner"] |
|
means the executive director of the commission [executive
|
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission]. |
|
(12) "Fire chief" means the [elected or paid] |
|
administrative head of a fire department, including a volunteer |
|
fire department. |
|
(24) "Tier two form" means: |
|
(A) a form specified by the commission |
|
[department] under Section 506.006 for listing hazardous chemicals |
|
as required by EPCRA; or |
|
(B) a form accepted by the EPA under EPCRA for |
|
listing hazardous chemicals together with additional information |
|
required by the commission [department] for administering its |
|
functions related to EPCRA. |
|
SECTION 15. Section 506.005(d), Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) The commission [department] shall develop and implement |
|
an outreach program concerning the public's ability to obtain |
|
information under this chapter similar to the outreach program |
|
under Section 502.008. |
|
SECTION 16. Section 506.006, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (e), as amended by |
|
S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, |
|
amending Subsections (d) and (f), and adding Subsections (d-1) and |
|
(d-2) to read as follows: |
|
(a) For the purpose of community right-to-know, a facility |
|
operator covered by this chapter shall compile and maintain a tier |
|
two form that contains information on hazardous chemicals present |
|
in the facility in quantities that meet or exceed thresholds |
|
determined by the EPA in 40 CFR Part 370, or at any other reporting |
|
thresholds as determined by commission [department] rule for |
|
certain highly toxic or extremely hazardous substances. |
|
(c) Each tier two form shall be filed annually with the |
|
commission, along with the appropriate fee, according to the |
|
procedures specified by commission [department] rules. [The
|
|
facility operator shall furnish a copy of each tier two form to the
|
|
fire chief of the fire department having jurisdiction over the
|
|
facility and to the appropriate local emergency planning
|
|
committee.] |
|
(d) A facility operator shall file the tier two form with |
|
the commission [department] not later than the 90th day after the |
|
date on which the operator begins operation or has a reportable |
|
addition, at the appropriate threshold, of a previously unreported |
|
hazardous chemical or extremely hazardous substance, but a fee may |
|
not be associated with filing this report. |
|
(d-1) A facility operator shall file an updated tier two |
|
form with the commission: |
|
(1) not later than the 90th day after the date on which |
|
the operator has a change in the chemical weight range, as listed in |
|
40 C.F.R. Part 370, of a previously reported hazardous chemical or |
|
extremely hazardous substance; and |
|
(2) as otherwise required by commission rule. |
|
(d-2) A facility operator shall furnish a copy of each tier |
|
two form and updated tier two form filed with the commission under |
|
this section to the fire chief of the fire department having |
|
jurisdiction over the facility and to the appropriate local |
|
emergency planning committee. [The operator shall furnish a copy
|
|
of each tier two form to the fire chief of the fire department
|
|
having jurisdiction over the facility and to the appropriate local
|
|
emergency planning committee.] |
|
(e) A facility operator shall file a safety data sheet with |
|
the commission [department] on the commission's [department's] |
|
request. |
|
(f) The commission [department] shall maintain records of |
|
the tier two forms and other documents filed under this chapter or |
|
EPCRA for at least 30 years. |
|
SECTION 17. Sections 506.007(c) and (d), Health and Safety |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) Any facility that has received five requests under |
|
Subsection (a) in a calendar month, four requests in a calendar |
|
month for two or more months in a row, or more than 10 requests in a |
|
year may elect to furnish the material to the commission |
|
[department]. |
|
(d) Any facility electing to furnish the material to the |
|
commission [department] under Subsection (c) may during that same |
|
filing period inform persons making requests under Subsection (a) |
|
of the availability of the information at the commission |
|
[department] and refer the request to the commission [department] |
|
for that filing period. The notice to persons making requests shall |
|
state the address of the commission [department] and shall be |
|
mailed within seven days of the date of receipt of the request, if |
|
by mail, and at the time of the request if in person. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 506.008(b), Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A facility operator, on request, shall give the fire |
|
chief or the local emergency planning committee such additional |
|
information on types and amounts of hazardous chemicals present at |
|
a facility as the requestor may need for emergency planning |
|
purposes. A facility operator, on request, shall give the |
|
executive director [commissioner], the fire chief, or the local |
|
emergency planning committee a copy of the SDS for any chemical on |
|
the tier two form furnished under Section 506.006 or for any |
|
chemical present at the facility. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 506.009, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 506.009. COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. On |
|
presentation of appropriate credentials, a commission [department] |
|
representative may enter a facility at reasonable times to inspect |
|
and investigate complaints. |
|
SECTION 20. Section 506.017, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 506.017. RULES; FEES. (a) The commission [executive
|
|
commissioner] may adopt rules and administrative procedures |
|
reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. |
|
(b) The commission [executive commissioner] by rule may |
|
authorize the collection of annual fees from facility operators for |
|
the filing of tier two forms required by this chapter. The fee may |
|
not exceed: |
|
(1) $50 for each required submission having no more |
|
than 75 hazardous chemicals or hazardous chemical categories; or |
|
(2) $100 for each required submission having more than |
|
75 hazardous chemicals or chemical categories. |
|
(c) To minimize the fees, the commission [executive
|
|
commissioner] by rule shall provide for consolidated filings of |
|
multiple tier two forms for facility operators covered by |
|
Subsection (b) if each of the tier two forms contains fewer than 25 |
|
items. |
|
(d) The commission may use up to 20 percent of the fees |
|
collected under this section as grants to local emergency planning |
|
committees to assist them to fulfill their responsibilities under |
|
EPCRA. An amount not to exceed [The department may use up to] 15 |
|
percent of the fees collected under Chapter 505 and this chapter, or |
|
15 percent of the amount of fees paid by the state and its political |
|
subdivisions under this chapter, whichever is greater, may be used |
|
by the Department of State Health Services to administer Chapter |
|
502. |
|
SECTION 21. Chapter 506, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
|
by adding Section 506.018 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 506.018. ENFORCEMENT. (a) A facility operator may not |
|
violate this chapter, commission rules adopted under this chapter, |
|
or an order issued under this chapter. |
|
(b) The commission may enforce this chapter under Chapter 7, |
|
Water Code, including by issuing an administrative order that |
|
assesses a penalty or orders a corrective action. |
|
SECTION 22. Section 507.002(b), Health and Safety Code, as |
|
amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
|
Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to ensure |
|
that accessibility to information regarding hazardous chemicals is |
|
provided to: |
|
(1) fire departments responsible for dealing with |
|
chemical hazards during an emergency; |
|
(2) local emergency planning committees and other |
|
emergency planning organizations; and |
|
(3) the commission [department] to make the |
|
information available to the public through specific procedures. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 507.003, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 507.003. FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. (a) In this |
|
chapter, a reference to a federal law or regulation means a |
|
reference to the most current version of that law or regulation. |
|
(b) In this chapter, a reference to the North American |
|
Industry Classification System (NAICS) means a reference to the |
|
most current version of that system. |
|
SECTION 24. Section 507.004, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subdivisions (3-a) and (8-a), as added by S.B. |
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No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, and |
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amending Subdivisions (10), (12), and (23) to read as follows: |
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(3-a) "Commission" ["Commissioner"] means the Texas |
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Commission on Environmental Quality [commissioner of state health
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services]. |
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(8-a) "Executive director" ["Executive commissioner"] |
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means the executive director of the commission [executive
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission]. |
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(10) "Facility" means all buildings, equipment, |
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structures, and other stationary items that are located on a single |
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site or on contiguous or adjacent sites and that are owned or |
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operated by the same person or by any person who controls, is |
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controlled by, or is under common control with that person, and that |
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is in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes |
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11-23 or Codes 42-92. The term does not include a facility subject |
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to Chapter [505 or] 506. |
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(12) "Fire chief" means the [elected or paid] |
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administrative head of a fire department, including a volunteer |
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fire department. |
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(23) "Tier two form" means: |
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(A) a form specified by the commission |
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[department] under Section 507.006 for listing hazardous chemicals |
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as required by EPCRA; or |
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(B) a form accepted by the EPA under EPCRA for |
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listing hazardous chemicals together with additional information |
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required by the commission [department] for administering its |
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functions related to EPCRA. |
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SECTION 25. Section 507.005, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) and amending Subsection (d), as |
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amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
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Session, 2015, to read as follows: |
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(a) Facility operators whose facilities are in North |
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American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes 11-23 or |
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NAICS Codes 42-92 and who are not subject to Chapter [505 or] 506 |
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shall comply with this chapter. |
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(d) The commission [department] shall develop and implement |
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an outreach program concerning the public's ability to obtain |
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information under this chapter similar to the outreach program |
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under Section 502.008. |
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SECTION 26. Section 507.006, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (f), as amended by |
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S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, |
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amending Subsections (e) and (g), and adding Subsections (e-1) and |
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(e-2) to read as follows: |
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(a) For the purpose of community right-to-know, a facility |
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operator covered by this chapter shall compile and maintain a tier |
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two form that contains information on hazardous chemicals present |
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in the facility in quantities that meet or exceed thresholds |
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determined by the EPA in 40 CFR Part 370, or at any other reporting |
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thresholds as determined by commission [department] rule for |
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certain highly toxic or extremely hazardous substances. |
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(c) Each tier two form shall be filed annually with the |
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commission, along with the appropriate fee, according to the |
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procedures specified by commission [department] rules. [The
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facility operator shall furnish a copy of each tier two form to the
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fire chief of the fire department having jurisdiction over the
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facility and to the appropriate local emergency planning
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committee.] |
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(e) Except as provided by Section 507.0061(c), a [A] |
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facility operator shall file the tier two form with the commission |
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[department] not later than the 90th day after the date on which the |
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operator begins operation or has a reportable addition, at the |
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appropriate threshold, of a previously unreported hazardous |
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chemical or extremely hazardous substance. |
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(e-1) Except as provided by Section 507.0061(c), a facility |
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operator shall file an updated tier two form with the commission: |
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(1) not later than the 90th day after the date on which |
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the operator has a change in the chemical weight range, as listed in |
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40 C.F.R. Part 370, of a previously reported hazardous chemical or |
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extremely hazardous substance; and |
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(2) as otherwise required by commission rule. |
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(e-2) A facility operator shall furnish a copy of each tier |
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two form and updated tier two form filed with the commission under |
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this section to the fire chief of the fire department having |
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jurisdiction over the facility and to the appropriate local |
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emergency planning committee. [The operator shall furnish a copy
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of each tier two form to the fire chief of the fire department
|
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having jurisdiction over the facility and to the appropriate local
|
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emergency planning committee.] |
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(f) A facility operator shall file a safety data sheet with |
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the commission [department] on the commission's [department's] |
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request. |
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(g) The commission [department] shall maintain records of |
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the tier two forms and other documents filed under this chapter or |
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EPCRA for at least 30 years. |
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SECTION 27. Chapter 507, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 507.0061 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 507.0061. REPORTING FOR FACILITIES STORING AMMONIUM |
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NITRATE USED IN FERTILIZER. (a) In this section, "ammonium |
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nitrate" and "ammonium nitrate storage facility" have the meanings |
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assigned by Section 63.151, Agriculture Code. |
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(b) As soon as practicable but not later than 72 hours after |
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the commission receives a tier two form reporting the presence of |
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ammonium nitrate at an ammonium nitrate storage facility, the |
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commission shall furnish a copy of the form to the state fire |
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marshal and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The state |
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fire marshal shall furnish a copy of the form to the chief of the |
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fire department having jurisdiction over the facility. The Texas |
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Division of Emergency Management shall furnish a copy of the form to |
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the appropriate local emergency planning committee. |
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(c) The operator of an ammonium nitrate storage facility |
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shall file: |
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(1) a tier two form with the commission not later than |
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72 hours after the operator: |
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(A) begins operation; or |
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(B) has a reportable addition, at the appropriate |
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threshold, of previously unreported ammonium nitrate; and |
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(2) an updated tier two form with the commission not |
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later than 72 hours after the operator has a change in the chemical |
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weight range, as listed in 40 C.F.R. Part 370, of previously |
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reported ammonium nitrate. |
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SECTION 28. Section 507.007(b), Health and Safety Code, as |
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amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
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Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A facility operator, on request, shall give the fire |
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chief or the local emergency planning committee such additional |
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information on types and amounts of hazardous chemicals present at |
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a facility as the requestor may need for emergency planning |
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purposes. A facility operator, on request, shall give the |
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executive director [commissioner], the fire chief, or the local |
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emergency planning committee a copy of the SDS for any chemical on |
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the tier two form furnished under Section 507.006 or for any |
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chemical present at the facility. |
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SECTION 29. Section 507.008, Health and Safety Code, as |
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amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
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Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 507.008. COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. On |
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presentation of appropriate credentials, a commission [department] |
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representative may enter a facility at reasonable times to inspect |
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and investigate complaints. |
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SECTION 30. Section 507.013, Health and Safety Code, as |
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amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of the 84th Legislature, Regular |
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Session, 2015, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 507.013. RULES; FEES. (a) The commission [executive
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commissioner] may adopt rules and administrative procedures |
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reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. |
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(b) The commission [executive commissioner] by rule may |
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authorize the collection of annual fees from facility operators for |
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the filing of tier two forms required by this chapter. Except as |
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provided by Subsection (d), fees may be used only to fund activities |
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under this chapter. The fee may not exceed: |
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(1) $50 for each required submission having no more |
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than 75 hazardous chemicals or hazardous chemical categories; or |
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(2) $100 for each required submission having more than |
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75 hazardous chemicals or chemical categories. |
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(c) To minimize the fees, the commission [executive
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commissioner] by rule shall provide for consolidated filings of |
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multiple tier two forms for facility operators covered by |
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Subsection (b) if each of the tier two forms contains fewer than 25 |
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items. |
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(d) The commission [department] may use up to 20 percent of |
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the fees collected under this section as grants to local emergency |
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planning committees to assist them to fulfill their |
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responsibilities under EPCRA. |
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SECTION 31. Chapter 507, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 507.014 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 507.014. ENFORCEMENT. (a) A facility operator may not |
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violate this chapter, commission rules adopted under this chapter, |
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or an order issued under this chapter. |
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(b) The commission may enforce this chapter under Chapter 7, |
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Water Code, including by issuing an administrative order that |
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assesses a penalty or orders a corrective action. |
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SECTION 32. Section 5.013(a), Water Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The commission has general jurisdiction over: |
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(1) water and water rights including the issuance of |
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water rights permits, water rights adjudication, cancellation of |
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water rights, and enforcement of water rights; |
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(2) continuing supervision over districts created |
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under Article III, Sections 52(b)(1) and (2), and Article XVI, |
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Section 59, of the Texas Constitution; |
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(3) the state's water quality program including |
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issuance of permits, enforcement of water quality rules, standards, |
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orders, and permits, and water quality planning; |
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(4) the determination of the feasibility of certain |
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federal projects; |
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(5) the adoption and enforcement of rules and |
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performance of other acts relating to the safe construction, |
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maintenance, and removal of dams; |
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(6) conduct of the state's hazardous spill prevention |
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and control program; |
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(7) the administration of the state's program relating |
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to inactive hazardous substance, pollutant, and contaminant |
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disposal facilities; |
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(8) the administration of a portion of the state's |
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injection well program; |
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(9) the administration of the state's programs |
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involving underground water and water wells and drilled and mined |
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shafts; |
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(10) the state's responsibilities relating to regional |
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waste disposal; |
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(11) the responsibilities assigned to the commission |
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by Chapters 361, 363, 382, [and] 401, 505, 506, and 507, Health and |
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Safety Code; and |
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(12) any other areas assigned to the commission by |
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this code and other laws of this state. |
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SECTION 33. Section 7.052, Water Code, is amended by adding |
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Subsection (b-4) to read as follows: |
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(b-4) The amount of the penalty against a facility operator |
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who violates Chapter 505, Health and Safety Code, or a rule adopted |
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or order issued under that chapter may not exceed $500 a day for |
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each day a violation continues with a total not to exceed $5,000 for |
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each violation. The amount of a penalty against a facility operator |
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who violates Chapter 506 or 507, Health and Safety Code, or a rule |
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adopted or order issued under those chapters may not exceed $50 a |
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day for each day a violation continues with a total not to exceed |
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$1,000 for each violation. |
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SECTION 34. Subchapter D, Chapter 7, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 7.1021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 7.1021. MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY: VIOLATION OF COMMUNITY |
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RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAWS. (a) A person who knowingly discloses false |
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information or negligently fails to disclose a hazard as required |
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by Chapter 505 or 506, Health and Safety Code, is subject to a civil |
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penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation. |
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(b) This section does not affect any other right of a person |
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to receive compensation under other law. |
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SECTION 35. Subchapter E, Chapter 7, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 7.1851 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 7.1851. VIOLATIONS RELATING TO COMMUNITY |
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RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAWS. (a) A person who proximately causes an |
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occupational disease or injury to an individual by knowingly |
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disclosing false information or knowingly failing to disclose |
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hazard information as required by Chapter 505 or 506, Health and |
|
Safety Code, commits an offense punishable by a fine of not more |
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than $25,000. |
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(b) This section does not affect any other right of a person |
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to receive compensation under other law. |
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SECTION 36. The following provisions of the Health and |
|
Safety Code, including provisions amended by S.B. No. 219, Acts of |
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the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, are repealed: |
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(1) Sections 505.004(2), (5), and (6); |
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(2) Sections 505.008(c), 505.010, 505.011, 505.012, |
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505.013, and 505.014; |
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(3) Sections 506.004(2), (5), and (6); |
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(4) Sections 506.008(c), 506.010, 506.011, 506.012, |
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506.013, 506.014, 506.015, and 506.016; |
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(5) Sections 507.004(2), (5), and (6); and |
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(6) Sections 507.007(c), 507.009, 507.010, and |
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507.011. |
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SECTION 37. (a) On September 1, 2015, the following are |
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transferred to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: |
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(1) the powers, duties, obligations, and liabilities |
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of the Department of State Health Services relating to Chapters |
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505, 506, and 507, Health and Safety Code; |
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(2) all unobligated and unexpended funds appropriated |
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to the Department of State Health Services designated for the |
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administration of Chapters 505, 506, and 507, Health and Safety |
|
Code; |
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(3) all equipment and property of the Department of |
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State Health Services used solely or primarily for the |
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administration of Chapters 505, 506, and 507, Health and Safety |
|
Code; |
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(4) all files and other records of the Department of |
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State Health Services kept by the department relating to the |
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administration of Chapters 505, 506, and 507, Health and Safety |
|
Code; and |
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(5) employees of the Department of State Health |
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Services whose duties relate solely or primarily to the |
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administration of Chapters 505, 506, and 507, Health and Safety |
|
Code. |
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(b) A rule adopted by the Department of State Health |
|
Services that is in effect immediately before September 1, 2015, |
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and that relates to Chapters 505, 506, and 507, Health and Safety |
|
Code, is, on September 1, 2015, a rule of the Texas Commission on |
|
Environmental Quality and remains in effect until amended or |
|
repealed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. A |
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complaint, investigation, enforcement proceeding, or other |
|
proceeding pending before the Department of State Health Services |
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on September 1, 2015, is continued by that department without |
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change in status after the effective date of this Act. |
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(c) The Department of State Health Services may agree with |
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the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to transfer any |
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property of the department to the commission to implement the |
|
transfer required by this Act. |
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SECTION 38. (a) Except as otherwise provided by Subsection |
|
(b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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(b) Sections 63.151(3), (4), and (5) and Section 63.158, |
|
Agriculture Code, as added by this Act, take effect immediately if |
|
this Act 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, those sections take effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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|
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I certify that H.B. No. 942 was passed by the House on May 4, |
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2015, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 1 |
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0, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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|
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I certify that H.B. No. 942 was passed by the Senate on May |
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21, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |