House Committee on Environmental Affairs - 67th R.S. (1981)

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Committee Members

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Charges

• Secure accurate statistics on the availability of redfish and trout.

• Monitor the initiation of the Texas Low-Level Waste Authority; suggest any changes in the laws passed during the 67th legislative session.

• Study the feasibility of repealing all hunting and fishing laws that are not under the Uniform Regulatory Act.

• Study the need to extend the financing of the Local Park Fund.

• Monitor the drafting of the 1982 Implementation Plan for Harris County and monitor changes in the Federal Clean Air Act.

• Review the fees and charges levied by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to determine if the department should be given the authority to set reasonable and necessary fees in appropriate areas.

• Conduct a study in cooperation with the appropriate state agencies and the private sector to determine the feasibility of implementing laws to govern the placement of toxic and chemical waste facilities.

• Study the desirability or necessity of state legislation restricting the placement of garbage transfer stations or landfills in close proximity to residential areas, schools, churches, parks, playgrounds, etc. Alternative methods of garbage disposal should be investigated.

• Study the feasibility of creating a natural history museum state park.

• Develop a research project studying the effects of air pollution on health: What really poses a health hazard? Study disposal of hazardous wastes and low level wastes by methods which may affect air quality, such as incineration.

• Oversight functions shall be conducted for all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 67th Regular Session of the Legislature. In addition, a study should be made of the impact of any federal cuts, and the differences in the operational aspect of the agencies under block vs. categorical grants. Close scrutiny should be given to each agency to ascertain if legislative intent is being carried out in the rules promulgated by the agency and if the rules are feasible and practical in their application. These agencies include:
  Air Control Board
  General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board
  Parks and Wildlife Department
  Texas Conservation Foundation

• Study the potential environmental safety problems involved in the use of underground injection wells for the disposal of hazardous wastes.

• Study scientific permits concerning the management of deer herds.

• Monitor national environmental issues as they affect state agencies.

• Review and determine if revenues to Special Game and Fish Fund 9 are sufficient to support agency activities and determine if there are other sources of revenue available to support this special fund if the revenues are not sufficient.

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