Transcript Highlights:

• To give some quick background, TCEQ...
• HB 2080 improves the TCEQ process for reviewing petitions that claim a GCD has failed to perform its
• This allows the TCEQ or the review panel to see.
• TCEQ to the TCEQ board explaining why they failed to utilize a conservation easement if the entity fails
• We do have a resource witness from TCEQ, members, if you have any questions. There's none.

Bills: HB937, HB2078, HB2080, HB3322, HB3350, HB4212, HB4630, HB4896, HB4951, HB5348, HB5675, SB565, SB971, SB1662, SB2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, our chair of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, it was my intention to have TCEQ
• , while TCEQ retains jurisdiction over shallow open-loop geothermal. injection wells.
• Still our objective is compliance, so TCEQ offers compliance support to regulated entities.
• In FY24, TCEQ hosted 282. public meetings, public hearings, workshops, webinars, etc.
• That put TCEQ in a difficult position of implementing our programs with limited time and resources.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, as noted in our presentation, TCEQ has 170 customers.
• TCEQ would notify the LBB of any resource changes and return those funds.
• That concludes all the questions we have for TCEQ.
• I was just going to suggest, members, first of all, TCEQ designates the.
• TCEQ, we're also supportive, generally, of the exceptional item requests.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in response to emergency situations, TCEQ further accelerates the process. Thank you.
• For the record, I'm Carrie Michelle McKyle, the Director of the Office of Water at TCEQ.
• TCEQ has implemented rule changes to streamline brackish desalination reviews.
• TCEQ strives to expedite permits for desalination projects under standard processes.
• On the seawater desalination projects, we have some handouts up here from TCEQ.

Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.

Transcript Highlights:

• TCEQ has authorized 102 public water systems that use desalination processes.
• TCEQ has implemented rule changes to streamline brackish desalination reviews.
• Its TCEQ permit was tied up in litigation for more than a decade.
• The project took five years to permit through TCEQ and the U.S. Army Corps.
• He said TCEQ needs to develop salinity gradient standards for the basin estuaries.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the expedited permit review process to a designated fund for program support as recommended by the TCEQ
• This will help with, you, you know, Um, the staff at TCEQ and overtime and all of that, it just says
• industry's paying for the expedited process, those funds will go towards all of the extra work that TCEQ
• While TCEQ recommends similar disposal practices for all types of batteries, there are no procedures
• if the bill gets to the, to the end, let the TCEQ develop some, uh, uh, some guidance timeframes and

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we're talking about here, um, that the TCEQ has received. My understanding.
• We do have TCEQ here as a resource. Sure. Uh, let's see, chair called Sam Short. So.
• This is my first time working on one, through TCEQ and something that I can clearly say is that.
• We had concerns with the bill in general that it ties the hands of TCEQ. There are no.
• Specifically, this bill directs TCEQ to explicitly allow local governments to use SEP funds for.

Transcript Highlights:

• For TCEQ they've not applied for, for any water quality permits.
• And the type of permits that these folks are seeking is usually done through TCEQ.
• So you registered as Joel Anderson on behalf of TCEQ testifying neutrally, correct?
• It's not there. uh, the APO is who provides the data that TCEQ works with. TCEQ does not go.
• TCEQ unless they see something that's off, takes it at their word.

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• The TCEQ is not getting tested like the groundwater conservation... ...districts are.
• They don’t have administrative penalty authority like the PUC or the TCEQ does.
• The bill accomplishes this goal by codifying a statute regarding existing TCEQ rules relating to DCPs
• As a partner with TCEQ and the Water Development Board in the development model DCPs.
• This bill implements current TCEQ and PUC rules that are already on the books.

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to go ahead and call up TCEQ as a resource witness. Go ahead, Senator Johnson.
• I'm with TCEQ.
• Yes, they can report those to TCEQ. Members, any questions for...? Yes, Senator Johnson.
• And you're at the TCEQ, right? I am. Yes. Your job is to protect the public, right? It is, yes.
• I'm the director for the Office of Water at TCEQ.

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• TCEQ requires each district to have the plan one at a time.
• Do you follow it to TCEQ or what?
• But the second thing is it asks TCEQ to look at that water conservation plan when considering whether
• I suspect TCEQ would need to do a little bit of rulemaking to set this up, but they believe they can
• I mean, you're asking MUD through TCEQ. ...about if it comes through legislation or other means.

Bills: HB24, HB2015, HB2149, HB2559, HB2701, HB2797, HB3172, HB24

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, water conservation, municipal utility districts, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental regulation, groundwater management, nonconforming uses, zoning regulations, land use, property rights, municipal authority, municipal moratorium, development moratorium, property development, subdivision, site plan

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would require TCEQ to return the fees collected for LIRAP back to the participating counties
• a public list of companies that are compliant with these standards that would be available through TCEQ
• All it does is create a grant program in TCEQ.
• We were wondering if there could be some time limit put on TCEQ to act on things like this, and Judge
• with TCEQ, um, as far as what is the plan moving forward in relation to funding, um, so we do TCEQ does

Bills: HB205

Keywords: disaster recovery, economic development, grants, loans, infrastructure support

Transcript Highlights:

• State laws and rules were regulated by TCEQ through the Texas administrative code.
• allowing TCEQ Office of Public Interest counsel to provide legal advice and assistance to the review
• to the TCEQ board explaining why they failed to utilize a conservation easement if the entity fails
• Uh, we do have a resource witness from TCEQ to answer any questions, members. No. Is there?
• We do have a resource witness from TCEQ members. If you have any questions. There's not.

Bills: HB 937, HB 2078, HB 2080, HB 3322, HB 3350, HB 4212, HB 4630, HB 4896, HB 4951, HB 5348, HB 5675, SB 565, SB 971, SB 1662, SB 2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• So TCEQ wants to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars.
• There's nine civil enforcement lawsuits in Harris County that TCEQ is supporting.
• Commissioner with TCEQ.
• And how many people work for the TCEQ? We have 3,100 FTEs. 3,100 FTEs. Very good.
• The things that we observe involving the TCEQ...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, when I'm talking to my fellow citizens, most of them ask, "Well, how can the TCEQ give them
• TCEQ won't come to town and give us an answer. As a matter of fact, Ms.
• The TCEQ finally shut them down.
• I spoke with several staff at TCEQ that work on water quality.
• We think there is a bigger discussion to be had here on how TCEQ regulates these matters.

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you see any challenge with TCEQ being comfortable with this sort of reduced demand dynamic?
• So I think TCEQ looks at the actual design criteria.
• Okay, and that's quite honestly, I think there was a question you had earlier about TCEQ.
• Keep in mind that TCEQ also has requirements related to how we...
• So the developer would go to TCEQ.

Bills: HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Our TCEQ water rights permit in October of 2022, our TCEQ water discharge... permit will be considered
• Guys, if the TCEQ would change their rules on every time you fill up, you get a new yield.
• It's the TCEQs who issues the CCNs we talked about on the previous slide.
• I do want to do kudos to TCEQ. They have done yeoman's work.
• Enhance or threaten the Texas miracle according to TCEQ data in 2023.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Bills: SB34, SB75, SB330, SB1535, SB18, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you need the TCEQ? Okay, Craig Pritzloff from TCEQ. Craig, if you would join us.
• I guess I'll let you go ahead and let the TCEQ.
• We started addressing the fuel depots with TCEQ and with the Comptroller's Office.
• This question is for TCEQ.
• We've had issues over the last couple of years with these facilities, and TCEQ generally gets alerted

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route