TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Reviews

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Title 30, Part 1

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) files this notice of intention to review and proposes the readoption of Chapter 111, Control of Air Pollution from Visible Emissions and Particulate Matter. This review of Chapter 111 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 requires 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 111 regulates air pollution from visible emissions and particulate matter and establishes emission limits and requirements, prescribes monitoring and sampling methods, and provides for exemptions. These emissions are associated with outdoor burning, incineration, abrasive blasting, materials handling, construction and demolition, and nonagricultural and agricultural processes. This chapter has been revised 17 times since its original adoption and contains two subchapters: Subchapter A, Visible Emissions and Particulate Matter, and Subchapter B, Outdoor Burning. Subchapter A contains seven divisions.

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

The commission conducted a preliminary review of the rules in Chapter 111 and determined that the reasons for adopting these rules continue to exist. These rules are needed to accomplish the purposes and implement provisions of the Federal Clean Air Act as codified in 42 United States Code (USC) and the Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA). Generally, the Chapter 111 rules implement Texas Health and Safety Code, TCAA, §382.011, which requires the commission to control the quality of the state's air, and §382.012, State Air Control Plan, which requires the commission to prepare and develop a general, comprehensive plan for the proper control of the state's air.

Title 42 USC, §7409, requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prescribe national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and §7410 requires each state to adopt and submit a plan which provides for implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of such primary air quality standards. States are primarily responsible for ensuring attainment and maintenance of NAAQS once the EPA has established those standards. Under 42 USC, §7410 and related provisions, the states must submit a state implementation plan (SIP) for EPA approval that provides for the attainment and maintenance of NAAQS through control programs directed to sources of the pollution involved. The rules in Chapter 111 meet this federal requirement. The rules in Chapter 111 are part of the plans required in 42 USC, §7410 and TCAA, §382.012. Divisions are discussed more specifically in the following paragraphs.

Division 1, Visible Emissions, establishes standards, test methods, and alternate opacity limitations for stationary vents, gas flares, motor vehicles, railroad locomotives or ships, structures, and other sources. Division 1 requires continuous emissions monitoring for certain steam generators and catalyst regenerators for fluid bed catalytic cracking units. Initially developed under TCAA, §382.012, these provisions were added to the SIP (42 USC, §7409 and §7410) in 1972. Division 1 also contains operating restrictions for solid fuel heating devices (wood-burning stoves) in the City of El Paso. These requirements were developed specifically as part of the SIP (42 USC, §7409 and §7410) to control particulate emissions.

Division 2, Incineration, establishes requirements for single-, dual-, and multiple-chamber incinerators and commercial facilities burning hazardous waste fuels and includes testing, monitoring, recordkeeping, and operating requirements. These rules were developed under TCAA, §382.012, to control emissions from incinerators. Requirements for medical waste incinerators were moved from Chapter 111 to Chapter 113, Subchapter D (§§113.2070 - 113.2079) in 2000 as part of a federal requirement, 42 USC, 7411(d), that supercedes the state requirement. All of the incinerator rules in this division will be moved to Chapter 113 as EPA adopts other rules under 42 USC, 7411(d).

Division 3, Abrasive Blasting of Water Storage Tanks Performed by Portable Operations, was developed under TCAA, §382.012, to control airborne lead and particulate matter and establishes definitions, testing and control requirements for surfaces with coatings containing lead, and exemptions.

Division 4, Materials Handling, Construction, Roads, Streets, Alleys, and Parking Lots, was developed specifically as part of the SIP (42 USC, §7409 and §7410) to control total suspended particulate and inhalable particulate matter in specified geographic areas.

Division 5, Emissions Limits on Nonagricultural Processes, was developed under TCAA, §382.012, to control particulate emissions and establishes allowable emissions limits for nonagricultural processes, allowable emissions limits for steam generators, and limits for ground level concentrations from nonagricultural processes.

Division 6, Emissions Limits on Agricultural Processes, was developed under TCAA, §382.012, to control emissions of particulate matter and establishes emission limits for persons affected by TCAA, §382.020, based on the process weight method or if requested, an alternate method with equivalent emission control efficiency, and exemptions.

Division 7, Exemptions for Portable or Transient Operations, developed under TCAA, §382.012, establishes an exemption policy and requirements for exemptions.

Subchapter B, Outdoor Burning, was developed under TCAA, §382.018, to control emissions of particulate matter. It contains a general prohibition against outdoor burning and prohibits disposal of material capable of igniting spontaneously, except as provided in the subchapter. It also includes definitions and exemptions.

The commission's review of Chapter 111 also revealed necessary corrections. For example, compliance provisions contain deadlines that have passed, the EPA determined some of the monitoring requirements to be insufficient, and there are out-of-date references which need to be deleted or corrected. The commission intends to consider correction of these items during future rulemaking actions.

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 comments on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 111 continue to exist. The commission also invites comments on any corrections or other revisions that should be considered in the previously mentioned future rulemaking. Comments may be submitted to Lola Brown, 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 1999-063-111-AI. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., June 25, 2001. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Debra Barber, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239-0412.

TRD-200102699

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: May 14, 2001


Texas Workers' Compensation Commission

Title 28, Part 2

The Texas Workers' Compensation Commission files this notice of intention to review the rules contained in Chapter 166 concerning Workers' Health & Safety - Accident Prevention Services. This review is pursuant to the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §167, 75th Legislature, the General Appropriations Act, Section 9-10, 76th Legislature, and Texas Government Code §2001.039 as added by SB-178, 76th Legislature.

The agency's reason for adopting the rules contained in these chapters continues to exist and it proposes to readopt these rules.

Comments regarding whether the reason for adopting these rules continues to exist must be received by 5:00 p.m. on July 2, 2001, and submitted to Nell Cheslock, Office of General Counsel, Mailstop #4-D, Texas Workers' Compensation Commission, Southfield Building, 4000 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78704-7491.

CHAPTER 166. WORKERS' HEALTH & SAFETY - ACCIDENT PREVENTION SERVICES: §166.1. Definitions of Terms. §166.2. Initial Licensing and Resumption of Writing of Workers' Compensation Insurance. §166.3. Annual Report to the Commission. §166.4. Required Accident Prevention Services. §166.5. Required Periodic Inspections of Accident Prevention Services and Site of Inspection. §166.6. Exchange of Information for the Inspection. §166.7. Inspection of Accident Prevention Services: Conducting and Reporting. §166.8. Qualification of Field Safety Representatives. §166.9. Approval of Occupational Health and Safety Education Programs.

TRD-200102728

Susan Cory

General Counsel

Texas Workers' Compensation Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


Texas Workforce Commission

Title 40, Part 20

The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 800, Subchapter D, Incentive Award Rules, Subchapter E, Sanctions Rules, Subchapter F, Interagency Matters, and Subchapter G, Petition for Adoption of Rules in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102713

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 803, relating to the Skills Development Fund in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102714

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 813 relating to Food Stamp Employment and Training in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102715

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 817 relating to Child Labor in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102716

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 823 relating to General Hearings in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102717

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 835 relating to the Self-Sufficiency Fund in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102718

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001


The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 839, Subchapter A. General Provisions and Subchapter B. Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by the Commission as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This assessment will be continued during the rule review process. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Commission.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to John Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Room 608, Austin, Texas, 78778-0001; via facsimile at (512) 463-2220; or via e-mail at john.moore@twc.state.tx.us.

For information about the Commission, please visit our web page at www.texasworkforce.org.

TRD-200102719

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Filed: May 15, 2001