S.B. 1265 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1265
By: Armbrister
Environmental Regulation
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Until 1997, the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG)
were required to be involved in a decision to criminally prosecute
violations of the Texas Clean Air Act. Currently, no such process is
required under any state environmental crime provisions. S.B. 1265
requires a peace officer to notify TCEQ in writing of the alleged
violation. TCEQ is then required to evaluate the report, determine if an
environmental violation exists, and determine an adequate remedy. This
bill only applies to cases in which the potential defendant holds a permit
by TCEQ or is employed by a person holding such a permit.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly
granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in SECTION 3 of
this bill. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. PURPOSE. Provides that the purpose of this Act is to ensure
statewide consistency in the interpretation and enforcement of
environmental laws.  
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Amends Chapter 7E, Water Code, by adding Section
7.203, as follows: Sec. 7.203. CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT REVIEW. (a) Provides
that this section is applicable to criminal prosecution of alleged
environmental violations of this code, of the Health and Safety Code, or
of any other statute, rule, order, permit or other decision of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that is within TCEQ's
jurisdiction committed by a defendant holding a permit issued by TCEQ or a
defendant employed by a person holding a permit. Provides that it is an
exception to the application of this section that the alleged
environmental violation clearly involves imminent danger of death or
bodily injury under an endangerment offense specified in Section 7.252.
(b) Requires that before a peace officer, as that term is defined in
Section 7.193 or Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, refers any alleged
criminal environmental violation of this code, of the Health and Safety
Code, or of any other statute, rule, order, permit or other decision of
TCEQ that is within TCEQ's jurisdiction to a prosecuting attorney for
criminal prosecution, the peace officer notify TCEQ in writing of the
alleged criminal environmental violation and include with the notification
a report describing the facts and circumstances of the alleged criminal
environmental violation. (c) Requires TCEQ, as soon as practicable and in
no event later than the 60th day after receiving a notice and report under
Subsection (b), to evaluate the report and determine whether an alleged
environmental violation exists and whether administrative or civil
remedies would adequately and appropriately address the alleged
environmental violation. Requires TCEQ, in making its evaluation and
determination, to consider factors prescribed by Section 7.053. (d)
Requires TCEQ, if TCEQ determines that an alleged environmental violation
exists and that administrative or civil remedies are inadequate or
inappropriate to address the violation, to so notify the peace officer in
writing of the reasons why administrative or civil remedies are inadequate
or inappropriate and recommending criminal prosecution. Requires TCEQ, in
all other cases, to issue written notification to the peace officer that
the alleged environmental violation is to be resolved through
administrative or civil means by the appropriate authorities. (e) Requires
any fine, penalty, or settlement recovered through a prosecution subject
to this section and  brought in the name and by authority of the State of
Texas, whether recovered through any form of pretrial resolution, plea
agreement, or sentencing after trial, to be apportioned 80 percent to the
state to cover the costs of instituting the procedures and requirements of
Subsections (a)-(d) and 20 percent to any local government significantly
involved in prosecuting the case. Provides that in a case where the
procedures described in this section do not apply, the provisions of
Section 7.190 apply.  
SECTION 3. TRANSITION. Requires TCEQ, not later than six months after the
effective date of this Act, by rule, to establish procedures to fulfill
the requirements of Subsections (a) through (d), Section 7.203, Water
Code, as added by this Act, and to ensure an objective and unbiased
process.  
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

upon passage or September 1, 2003.