TITLE rule-review

Agency Rule Review Plan

Texas Real Estate Commission

Title 22, Part 23

Filed: January 9, 2001


Proposed Rule Reviews

Finance Commission of Texas

Title 7, Part 1

The Finance Commission of Texas files this notice of intention to review Texas Administrative Code, Title 7, Chapter 9, consisting of §§9.1-9.84, concerning Rules of Procedure For Contested Case Hearing, Appeals, and Rulemaking. This review is undertaken pursuant to Government Code, §2001.039. The commission will accept comments for 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register as to whether the reasons for adopting the sections under review continue to exist. Final consideration of this rules review is scheduled for the Finance Commission meeting on February 23, 2001.

Any questions or written comments pertaining to this notice of intention to review should be directed to Everette D. Jobe, General Counsel, Texas Department of Banking, 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78705, or by e-mail to everette.jobe@banking.state.tx.us. Any proposed changes to rules as a result of the review will be published in the Proposed Rules Section of the Texas Register and will be open for an additional 30 day public comment period prior to final adoption or repeal by the commission.

TRD-200100060

Everette D. Jobe

Certifying Official

Finance Commission of Texas

Filed: January 4, 2001


Texas Department of Banking

Title 7, Part 2

The Texas Department of Banking files this notice of intention to review Texas Administrative Code, Title 7, Chapter 25 (Prepaid Funeral Contracts), §§25.1-25.8, concerning Contract Forms, and §§25.10-25.12, concerning Regulation of Licenses, and Chapter 26 (Perpetual Care Cemeteries), §26.1, concerning Fees and Assessments. This review is undertaken pursuant to Government Code, §2001.039. The department will accept comments for 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register as to whether the reasons for adopting the sections under review continue to exist.

Any questions or written comments pertaining to this notice of intention to review should be directed to Everette D. Jobe, General Counsel, Texas Department of Banking, 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78705, or by e-mail to everette.jobe@banking.state.tx.us. Any proposed changes to rules as a result of the review will be published in the Proposed Rules Section of the Texas Register and will be open for an additional 30 day public comment period prior to final adoption or repeal by the commission.

TRD-200100061

Everette D. Jobe

Certifying Official

Texas Department of Banking

Filed: January 4, 2001


Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Title 30, Part 1

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) notices the intention to review and proposes the readoption of Chapter 106, Permits by Rule. This review of Chapter 106 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §§9 - 10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999, which require state agencies to review and consider for readoption each of their rules every four years. The review must include an assessment of whether the reasons for the rules continue to exist.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 106 provides a mechanism to authorize the construction and/or modification of insignificant sources of air contaminants in lieu of requiring a permit under Chapter 116, Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification. Chapter 106 contains the rules authorized by Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA), §382.057, Exemptions, and §382.05196, Permits by Rule, enacted by the 62nd and 76th Texas Legislature respectively. The types of facilities subject to this chapter are listed in Chapter 106, Subchapters C - X.

In 1996, Chapter 106, Exemptions from Permitting, was created. The sections organized to create the chapter were originally contained in the Standard Exemption List. This list was created May 8, 1972, was later incorporated into Chapter 116 by reference, and was replaced by the creation of Chapter 106. Chapter 106 has been modified ten times since its creation in 1996, and the Exemption List was modified 18 times prior to its corporation into Chapter 106. This chapter continues to be an evolving chapter, and as new permits by rule have been added, they have been technically reviewed to ensure protection of public health and welfare.

Chapter 106 is used to authorize emissions from insignificant sources which would otherwise require a permit under Chapter 116. As codified in §106.4, emissions from some sources of air contaminants may be considered insignificant, and thus qualify for an exemption from permitting, if the following general conditions are met: total actual emissions from a facility cannot exceed 250 tons per year (tpy) of carbon monoxide (CO) or nitrogen oxides (NO x ); total actual emissions from a facility cannot exceed 25 tpy of volatile organic compounds (VOC), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), inhalable particulate matter (PM 10 ), or any other air contaminant except carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, methane, ethane, hydrogen, and oxygen; and no facility or group of facilities may constitute a new major stationary source or major modification. In addition, all other state and federal rules and regulations must be met, along with the conditions of the individual section under which authorization is sought. Permits by Rule may include emission control requirements or operational parameters designed to reduce or minimize emissions.

The 76th Legislature, 1999, passed Senate Bill 766, which contained a new §382.05196, Permits by Rule. On August 9, 2000, implementing this legislation, the commission amended Chapter 106, Exemptions from Permitting, renaming it Permits by Rule. This name accurately reflects the fact that sources seeking authorization under the individual sections of Chapter 106 are not exempt from regulation and must meet specific controls or evaluation criteria prior to obtaining authorization. Permits by rule may be used to authorize new construction and/or modifications or changes at the types of facilities listed in Chapter 106, Subchapters C - X.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER THE REASONS FOR THE RULES CONTINUE TO EXIST

The commission conducted a preliminary review of the rules under Chapter 106 and determined that the reasons to adopt these rules continue to exist. These rules are needed to implement provisions of state law, including TCAA, §382.057, Exemption, and in TCAA, §382.05196, Permits by Rule. The use of permits by rule ensures efficient regulation of facilities which do not make a significant contribution to air quality and do not justify case-by-case permitting. Permits by Rule may include emission control requirements or operational parameters designed to minimize or reduce emissions. Thus, Chapter 106 increases the commission's efficiency in authorizing insignificant sources of air contaminants and streamlines the permitting process for external stakeholders.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §§9 - 10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999. The commission invites public comment on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 106 continue to exist. Comments may be submitted to Patricia Duron, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, MC 205, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-4808. All comments should reference Rule Log Number 2000-023-106-AI. Comments must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m., February 20, 2001. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Beecher Cameron, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239-1495.

TRD-200100082

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 8, 2001


The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) files this notice of intention to review and proposes the readoption of Chapter 304, Watermaster Operations. This review of Chapter 304 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §9 - 10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999, which require state agencies to review and consider for readoption each of their rules every four years. The review must include an assessment of whether the reasons for the rules continue to exist.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 304, Subchapter A contains introductory provisions; Subchapter B outlines the regulation of the use of state water; Subchapter C specifies the allocation of available waters; Subchapter D provides for enforcement of watermaster operations; Subchapter E addresses administration of watermaster operations; Subchapter F addresses appeal of watermaster actions; and Subchapter G provides for financing of watermaster operations.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER THE REASONS FOR THE RULES CONTINUE TO EXIST

The commission conducted a preliminary review and determined that the reasons for the rules in Chapter 304 continue to exist. The rules are needed to implement the duties and responsibilities of watermaster operations as specified in Texas Water Code (TWC), §§11.325 - 11.458, which establish water divisions; the watermaster for these water divisions; the duties, responsibilities, and compensation of the watermaster; the commission's authority to establish water divisions and the watermaster; and all duties and responsibilities necessary to carry out the authority of the commission through watermaster operations. The rules are also needed in accordance with TWC, §5.103 which states, "The commission shall adopt any rules necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this code and other laws of this state."

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §9 - 10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999. The commission invites public comment on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 304 continue to exist. Comments may be submitted to Joyce Spencer, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, MC 205, P. O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711- 3087 or faxed to (512) 239-4808. All comments should reference Rule Log Number 2000-026-304- WT. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m, February 20, 2001. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Melissa Estes, Policy and Regulations Division, (512) 239-3937.

TRD-200100152

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 10, 2001


The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) files this notice of intention to review and proposes the readoption of Chapter 314, Toxic Pollutant Effluent Standards. This review of Chapter 314 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §9 - 10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999, which require state agencies to review and consider for readoption each of their rules every four years. A review must include an assessment of whether the reasons for the rules continue to exist.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 314 adopts by reference 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 129.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER THE REASONS FOR THE RULES CONTINUE TO EXIST

The commission conducted a preliminary review and determined that the reasons for the rules in Chapter 314 continue to exist. The rules adopt by reference 40 CFR, Part 129, Subpart A, Toxic Pollutant Effluent Standards and Prohibitions.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §9 - 10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999. The commission invites public comment on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 314 continue to exist. Comments may be submitted to Angela Slupe, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, MC 205, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-4808. All comments should reference Rule Log Number 2000-033-314-WT. Comments must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m., February 19, 2001. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Kathy Ramirez, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239- 6757.

TRD-200100077

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: January 5, 2001


Texas Real Estate Commission

Title 22, Part 23

The Texas Real Estate Commission proposes to review Chapter 539, 542 and 543 in accordance with the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and the General Appropriations Act of 1999, Article IX, Section 167. The commission will accept comments for 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register as to whether the reason for adopting each of these sections continues to exist. Any questions pertaining to this notice of intention to review should be directed to Mark A. Moseley, General Counsel, Texas Real Estate Commission. P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188 or e-mail to general.counsel@trec.state.tx.us.

Chapter 539, Provisions of the Residential Service Company Act.

Chapter 542, Rules Relating to the Provisions of House Bill 5.

Chapter 543, Rules Relating to the Provisions of the Texas Timeshare Act.

TRD-200100117

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Filed: January 9, 2001


Adopted Rule Reviews

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Title 22, Part 17

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts the review of Chapter 363, concerning Examination, pursuant to the Appropriations Act of 1997, HB 1, Article IX, §167: published in the December 1, 2000 issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 18837).

No Comments were received regarding the adoption of the rule amendments.

TRD-200100166

Robert L. Maxwell

Administrator

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Filed: January 10, 2001


The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts the review of Chapter 367, concerning Enforcement, pursuant to the Appropriations Act of 1997, HB 1, Article IX, §167: published in the December 8, 2000 issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 12036).

No Comments were received regarding the adoption of the rule amendments.

TRD-200100174

Robert L. Maxwell

Administrator

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Filed: January 10, 2001