HBA-AMW H.B. 332 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 332 By: McClendon Environmental Regulation 3/15/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE During the recent Sunset Advisory Commission hearings on the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), citizens testified that when an environmental problem in their area is reported on holidays or weekends, TNRCC is often not available to confirm the problem for several days. Currently, TNRCC has no after-hours program to respond to complaints involving potential threats to public health and safety or the environment. House Bill 332 requires TNRCC to establish a 24-hour telephone line that is available to the public for emergency complaints regarding matters under TNRCC's jurisdiction and to establish rules for immediate action in response to these complaints. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission in SECTION 1 (Sec. 5.127, Water Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS House Bill 332 amends the Water Code to require the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to provide a telephone line that is available to the public 24 hours a day and seven days a week for emergency complaints relating to an entity regulated by or a matter under the jurisdiction of TNRCC. The bill requires TNRCC to establish by rule procedures for immediate TNRCC action in response to a complaint made outside regular business hours regarding an emergency that presents a threat to the environment or to the public health and safety. The bill also requires TNRCC to implement these provisions as soon as practicable after September 1, 2001. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.