S.B. No. 394
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of supplemental environmental projects by a
  local government to come into compliance with environmental laws or
  remediate environmental harm caused by the local government.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 7.067(a-1) and (a-2), Water Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a-1)  For a respondent that is a local government, the [The]
  commission:
               (1)  may approve a supplemental environmental project
  that is necessary to bring the [a] respondent into compliance with
  environmental laws or that is necessary to remediate environmental
  harm caused by the local government's [respondent's] alleged
  violation; and
               (2)  shall approve a supplemental environmental
  project described by Subdivision (1) if the local government:
                     (A)  has not previously committed a violation at
  the same site with the same underlying cause in the preceding five
  years, as documented in a commission order; and
                     (B)  did not agree, before the date that the
  commission initiated the enforcement action, to perform the project
  [if the respondent is a local government].
         (a-2)  The commission shall develop a policy to prevent
  regulated entities from systematically avoiding compliance through
  the use of supplemental environmental projects under Subsection
  (a-1)(1) [Subsection (a-1)], including a requirement for an
  assessment of:
               (1)  the respondent's financial ability to pay
  administrative penalties;
               (2)  the ability of the respondent to remediate the
  harm or come into compliance; and
               (3)  the need for corrective action.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 394 passed the Senate on
  April 9, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 394 passed the House on
  May 27, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor