Texas Legislative Session Winds Down

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. - Texas Environmental Update, May 2009

With the 81st Legislative Session in its final phase, a number of environmental bills have now been passed.  A full report on the status of environmental bills of interest will be included in our June newsletter.  For now, we report on the following selected measures that have been passed by both chambers:

• SB 1387 relating to the implementation of projects involving the capture, injection, sequestration, or geologic storage of carbon dioxide has been passed by both chambers and sent to the Governor for signature;

• SB 1711 relating to the use of reservoirs for sediment control or to satisfy certain environmental and safety regulations at surface mining operations has been signed by the Governor and is effective immediately;

• HB 472 relating to the effect and implementation of the law regarding reporting by a common carrier or pipeline owner or operator of contamination has been passed by both chambers and sent to the Governor for signature;

• HB 865 relating to the establishment of the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee has been signed by the Governor and is effective on September 1, 2009;

• HB 1433 relating to the amount of the annual water quality fee imposed on holders of wastewater discharge permits and on users of water has been passed by both chambers and sent to the Governor for signature;

• HB 1922 relating to the authorization of certain reuse water system contributions and discharges has been passed by both chambers; and

• HB 3765 relating to the use of hazardous and solid waste remediation fee funds for lead-acid battery recycling activities has been signed by the Governor and is effective on September 1, 2009.

For additional information about the status of pending Texas environmental legislation, please see http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Home.aspx.