The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
January 14, 2023
The Texas Legislature is back in session through May 29, 2023. I’m currently checking for bills of general interest to geologists in Texas and will be updating this list as things change. New information is in bold.
HB 57, by Zwiener, Relating to climate change planning and reporting. Filed 11/23/2022. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB57.
HB 570, by Raymond, Relating to a study by the Texas Division of Emergency Management of the potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this state. 11/14/2022 Filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB570.
HB 952, by Dulton, Relating to the carcinogenic risk level used in the development of certain environmental remediation benchmarks. "The commission shall set each carcinogenic risk level used by the commission in the development of a protective concentration level, risk-based exposure limit, or any other remediation standard used in connection with this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter, including the Texas Risk Reduction Program (30 T.A.C. Chapter 350) or a similar program established by the commission, at a rate not greater than one in one million." For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB952.
HB 1276, by Hinojosa, Relating to the reduction of methane gas flaring on land dedicated to the permanent university fund. 1/11/2023 filed, For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1276.
HB 1318, by Darby, Relating to the regulation of brine mining. Filed 1/12/2023. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1318.
SB 257, by Eckhardt, Relating to the reduction of methane gas flaring on land dedicated to the permanent university fund. Prohibits routine methane flaring, operators must adhere to the USEPA's new source performance standards for methane emissions, implement quarterly inspections, etc. 12/1/2022 Filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB257.
SB 382, by Zafirini, Relating to the production by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of an annual report on public drinking water supply systems. Filed 1/11/2023. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB382.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
1/14/2023