The Wise Report
While the State Legislature meets in January, bills are already being filed. There are currently eight filed bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists:
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB163
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB190
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB201
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a munipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB281
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity’s role with respect to climate change. Received by the Secretary of the Senate 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB77
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Received by the Secretary of the Senate 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB78
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. Received by the Secretary of the Senate 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB109
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. Received by the Secretary of the Senate 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB118
I’ll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report