High Priority Issue Update: On Friday, May 11, the House passed HB 3780 (Bonnen, R-Angleton), relating to initiation of enforcement by the TCEQ for violations based on information received from a private individual.  This bill addresses industry concerns related to TCEQ enforcement of self-reported violations (i.e., those reported under Title V).

Summary of Last Week’s Events

Monday, May 7

• Senate Finance Committee met to consider the following bills:
• HB 621 (Chavez, D-El Paso), relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of tangible personal property held temporarily at a location in this state for assembling, storing, manufacturing, processing or fabricating purposes.  The bill was left pending.  TCC is monitoring this bill
• HB 1332 (Chisum, R-Pampa), relating to a credit or refund for taxes paid on diesel fuel used in certain manufacturing or production processes.  The bill was voted out of committee.  TCC supports this bill.
• SB 504 (Wentworth, R-San Antonio), relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation for certain solar or wind-powered energy devices.  The bill was voted out of committee.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• House Government Reform Committee heard testimony on the following bills:
• SB 316 (Ogden, R-College Station), relating to the suspension or revocation of a state issued license if the applicant for the license makes a false statement.  TCC has concerns about this bill as it broadly pertains to permits issued by any state agency and communicated those concerns to the bill sponsor and to the committee.  The bill was left pending.
• SB 445 (Hinojosa, D-McAllen), relating to design and construction standards for newly constructed state buildings.  TCC worked with the bill sponsor through the Senate committee process to eliminate all references in the bill to specific building standards (i.e., LEEDs or Green Globes).  The bill was left pending.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the following bills:  
• SB 749 (Janek, R-Houston), relating to multidistrict litigation proceedings in cases involving claims for asbestos-related or silica-related injuries.  The bill was voted out of committee.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• SB 1204 (Duncan, R-Lubbock), relating to the reorganization and administration of, and procedures relating to, courts in this state, including procedures for appeals.  The bill was left pending.  TCC supports this bill.

Tuesday, May 8

• The House passed the following bills:
• HB 13 (Swinford, R-Amarillo), relating to homeland security issues, including border security issues and homeland security staffing requirements.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• HJR 37 (McReynolds, D-Lufkin), relating to changing in the manner of determining the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation to which a disabled veteran is entitled.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• HJR 93 (Chisum), relating to authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to provide and guarantee loans to encourage the use of carbon-free hydrogen energy.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• The Senate passed the following bills:
• HB 1852 (Corte, R-San Antonio), relating to the authority of a county to regulate the installation and use of lighting in certain areas.  TCC worked with the bill sponsor on an amendment to this bill in the House that would exempt manufacturing facilities permitted by the TCEQ.
• SB 1687 (Watson, D-Austin), relating to emission reduction strategies for greenhouse gases.  TCC opposes this bill.
• SB 1924 (Gallegos, D-Galena Park), relating to the establishment of an air pollution watch list.  TCC opposes this bill.
• House Environmental Regulations Committee held a public hearing on SB 1317 (Jackson, R-Pasadena), relating to prohibiting a municipality from enacting regulations on air pollution that might apply outside its corporate limits.  The bill was left pending.  TCC supports this bill.

Wednesday, May 9

• The House passed the following:
• HB 160 (Menendez, D-San Antonio), relating to a study on the relocation of freight trains away from residential areas of the state.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 1467 (Deshotel, D-Beaumont), relating to reservations of the state ceiling and priority carryforward classifications for certain projects under the private activity bond allocation program.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 3485 (S. King, R-Abilene), relating to career and technology education.  TCC supports this bill.
• The Senate concurred on the House amendments to SB 1673 (Averitt, R-Waco), relating to the renewal of certain air quality permits.  TCC supports this bill.

Thursday, May 10

• House Deadline: This was the last day the House could consider House Bills and House Joint Resolutions on Second Reading.
• The House passed the following:
• HB 1680 (Swinford), relating to the requirement payment of taxes by property owners who appeal certain ad valorem tax determinations.  TCC worked with the bill sponsor on an amendment to this bill.
• HB 2237 (Eissler, R-The Woodlands), relating to high school success and college readiness in public schools.  TCC supports this bill.
• HB 3693 (Straus, R-San Antonio), relating to energy demand, energy load, energy efficiency incentives, energy programs, and energy performance measures.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• SB 484 (Fraser, R-Marble Falls), relating to the powers, duties, and composition of the electric utility restructuring legislative oversight committee.  TCC supports this bill.
• Senate State Affairs Committee voted out HB 1602 (Van Arsdale, R-Houston), relating to venue in civil actions under the Jones Act.  TCC supports this bill.
• Senate Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on HB 3732 (Hardcastle, R-Vernon), relating to implementing ultraclean energy projects in this state.  The bill was left pending.  TCC is monitoring this bill.

Friday, May 11

• House Deadline: This is the last day for the House to consider consent on House Bills on Second and Third Reading and all Third Reading House Bills and House Joint Resolutions.
• The House passed the following:
• HB 2785 (Paxton, R-McKinney), relating to property tax relief.  TCC supports this bill.
• HB 3780 (Bonnen), relating to initiation of enforcement by the TCEQ for violations based on information received from a private individual.  This is a TCC high priority bill.
• The Senate passed the following:
• HB 1332 (Chisum), relating to a credit or refund for taxes paid on diesel fuel used in certain manufacturing or production processes.  TCC supports this bill.  This bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Upcoming Activities

Monday, May 14

• House Calendar (Second Reading):  
• SB 12 (Averitt), relating to programs for the enhancement of air quality, including energy efficiency initiatives.  TCC supports this bill.
• Senate Finance: 9:00, E1.036. 
• HB 621 (Chavez), relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of tangible personal property held temporarily at a location in this state for assembling, storing, manufacturing, processing or fabricating purposes.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 1470 (Eissler), relating to the continuation of the Texas Economic Development Act and to the duties of the comptroller of public accounts and the Texas Education Agency under that Act.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• Senate Transportation & Homeland Security: 9:00, 3N.4.  HB 13 (Swinford), relating to homeland security issues, including border security issues and homeland security staffing requirements.  TCC is monitoring this bill.

Tuesday, May 15

• House Environmental Regulations: 8:00, E2.028:
• SB 1177 (Brimer), relating to a pilot test of an advanced control technology for the reduction of nitrogen oxides emissions.  TCC will register its concerns related to this bill.
• SB 1687 (Watson), relating to emission reduction strategies for greenhouse gases.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• SB 1924 (Gallegos), relating to the establishment of an air pollution watch list.  TCC will register its concerns related to this bill.
• Senate Finance: 8:00, E1.036:
• HB 2010 (Rose), relating to declaratory relief for businesses in this state for liability for sales and use taxes of other states.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• Senate Natural Resources: 8:00, E1.012:
• HB 3011 (W. Smith), relating to the creation of ship channel security districts by certain populous counties.  TCC has been working on amendments to the bill with the bill sponsor on behalf of EHCMA.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• House Ways & Means: 8:00, E1.014:
• SB 666 (Carona), relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homesteads of certain totally disabled veterans.  TCC is monitoring this bill.
• SJR 29 (Carona), relating to authorizing the legislature to exempt all or part of the residence homesteads of certain totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation.  TCC is monitoring this bill.

Friday, May 18

• House Deadline: This is the last day for the House to consider local House bills on Second and Third Reading.

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Thanks, Christina

Christina T. Wisdom
General Counsel & Director of Govt. Affairs
Texas Chemical Council
1402 Nueces Street
Austin, Texas 78701-1586
phone: (512) 646-6403
fax: (512) 646-6420
wisdom@txchemcouncil.org