Bill Text: TX SB1605 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to an expedited permit program for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-23 - Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development [SB1605 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SB1605-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Huffines S.B. No. 1605
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an expedited permit program for permits issued by the
  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 5, Water Code, is amended
  by adding Section 5.136 to read as follows:
         Sec. 5.136.  EXPEDITED PERMIT PROGRAM. (a)  The commission
  by rule shall create a program for the expedited issuance and
  renewal of all permits issued by the commission other than permits
  by rule, general permits, or standard permits.
         (b)  Rules adopted under this section shall:
               (1)  allow for public comments to be submitted only
  online;
               (2)  require an applicant for an expedited permit or
  permit renewal to pay a fee in an amount not more than twice the fee
  required for a nonexpedited permit or permit renewal of the same
  type; and
               (3)  require the commission to grant or deny an
  expedited permit or permit renewal not later than the 60th day after
  the date the permit or permit renewal application is received by the
  commission.
         (c)  The commission may waive the requirement in Subsection
  (b)(3) on a majority vote of the commission after notice and a
  public hearing as provided by commission rule.
         (d)  If federal regulations prevent compliance with
  Subsection (b)(3), the commission shall:
               (1)  clearly and publicly identify the relevant federal
  regulation that prevents compliance; and
               (2)  if possible, apply for a waiver that would allow
  compliance.
         SECTION 2.  The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
  shall adopt rules to establish an expedited permit program as
  required by Section 5.136, Water Code, as added by this Act, as soon
  as practicable after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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