TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Reviews

Texas Commission for the Blind

Title 40, Part 4

The Texas Commission for the Blind files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 172 of its rules pertaining to Advisory Committees and Councils in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1499, §1.11(a).

The public is invited to make comments on the rules as they exist in 40 TAC, Part 4, Chapter 172. The comment period will last 30 days beginning with the publication of this notice of intention to review.

The Commission's Board will consider comments received in response to this notice at a meeting tentatively scheduled in early May 2002 and will also assess whether the reason for adopting each of the rules in Chapter 172 continues to exist. Any changes to the rules proposed by the Commission after the Board's review of the chapter and consideration of comments received in response to this notice will appear thereafter in the proposed rules section of the Texas Register and will be adopted in accordance with state rule-making requirements.

Comments or questions regarding this rule review may be submitted in writing to Jean Crecelius, Policy & Rules Coordinator, Texas Commission for the Blind, P. O. Box 12866, Austin, TX 78711 or via facsimile at (512) 377-0682.

TRD-200201429

Barbara J. Madrigal

Interim Executive Director

Texas Commission for the Blind

Filed: March 7, 2002


Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist

Title 4, Part 3

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service (TFFCS)/Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) files this notice of intention to review and to propose the readoption of Chapter 61, Commercial Feed Rules.

This review of Chapter 61 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Government Code §2001.39, added by Acts 1999, 76th Legislature, Chapter 1499, 1.11(a) 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 61 sets forth the requirements which firms that distribute commercial feeds must meet to assure their products meet the legislative requirement that they are neither misbranded (§141.147) nor adulterated (§141.148).

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist has conducted a preliminary review of the rules under Chapter 61 and has determined that the reasons for the rules continue to exist. These rules are needed so that TFFCS/OTSC can fulfill the responsibilities set forth by the Legislature. The rules in Chapter 61 implement provisions of the Texas Commercial Feed Control Act (Chapter 141, Texas Agriculture Code) which authorizes TFFCS to adopt rules which provide for (1) the licensing and labeling of animal feeds; (2) the sampling and analysis of animal feeds; and (3) the enforcement and assessment of penalties and remedies for products which are misbranded, adulterated or for which appropriate inspection fees have not been paid by the distributor.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist invites comments on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 61 continue to exist. Comments may be submitted to Dr. George W. Latimer, Jr., Office of the Texas State Chemist, P.O. Box 3160, College Station, TX 77841-3160, FAX (979) 845-1389, or by e-mail to g-latimer@tamu.edu (e-mails will be acknowledged). Comments must be received within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register . For further information or questions, contact Dr. Latimer at one of the addresses noted above.

TRD-200201450

Dr. George W. Latimer, Jr.

Certifying Official

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist

Filed: March 8, 2002


Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service (TFFCS)/Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) files this notice of intention to review and to propose the readoption of Chapter 63, Commercial Pet Food Rules.

This review of Chapter 63 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Government Code §2001.39, added by Acts 1999, 76th Legislature, Chapter 1499, 1.11(a) 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 63 sets forth the requirements which firms that distribute pet foods must meet to assure their products meet the legislative requirement that they are neither misbranded (§141.147) nor adulterated (§141.148).

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist has conducted a preliminary review of the rules under Chapter 63 and has determined that the reasons for the rules continue to exist. These rules are needed so that TFFCS/OTSC can fulfill the responsibilities set forth by the Legislature. The rules in Chapter 63 implement provisions of the Texas Commercial Feed Control Act (Chapter 141, Texas Agriculture Code) which authorizes TFFCS to adopt rules which provide for (1) the licensing and labeling of pet foods; (2) the sampling and analysis of pet foods; and (3) the enforcement and assessment of penalties and remedies for products which are misbranded, adulterated or for which appropriate inspection fees have not been paid by the distributor.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist invites comments on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 63 continue to exist. Comments may be submitted to Dr. George W. Latimer, Jr., Office of the Texas State Chemist, P.O. Box 3160, College Station, TX 77841-3160, FAX (979) 845-1389, or by e-mail to g-latimer@tamu.edu (e-mails will be acknowledged). Comments must be received within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register . For further information or questions, contact Dr. Latimer at one of the addresses noted above.

TRD-200201544

Dr. George W. Latimer, Jr.

Certifying Official

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist

Filed: March 12, 2002


Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service (TFFCS)/Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) files this notice of intention to review and to propose the readoption of Chapter 65, Commercial Fertilizer Rules.

This review of Chapter 65 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Government Code §2001.39, added by Acts 1999, 76th Legislature, Chapter 1499, 1.11(a) 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 65 sets forth the requirements which firms that distribute fertilizers must meet to assure their products meet the legislative requirement that they are neither misbranded (§63.142) nor adulterated (§63.143).

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist has conducted a preliminary review of the rules under Chapter 65 and has determined that the reasons for the rules continue to exist. These rules are needed so that TFFCS/OTSC can fulfill the responsibilities set forth by the Legislature. The rules in Chapter 65 implement provisions of the Texas Commercial Fertilizer Control Act (Chapter 63, Texas Agriculture Code) which authorizes TFFCS to adopt rules which provide for (1) the registration and labeling of fertilizers; (2) the sampling and analysis of fertilizers; and (3) the enforcement and assessment of penalties and remedies for products which are misbranded, adulterated or for which appropriate inspection fees have not been paid by the distributor.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist invites comments on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 65 continue to exist. Comments may be submitted to Dr. George W. Latimer, Jr., Office of the Texas State Chemist, P.O. Box 3160, College Station, TX 77841-3160, FAX (979) 845-1389, or by e-mail to g-latimer@tamu.edu (e-mails will be acknowledged). Comments must be received within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register . For further information or questions, contact Dr. Latimer at one of the addresses noted above.

TRD-200201545

Dr. George W. Latimer, Jr.

Certifying Official

Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service/Office of the Texas State Chemist

Filed: March 12, 2002


Texas Department of Health

Title 25, Part 1

The Texas Department of Health (department) will review and consider for readoption, revision or repeal Title 25, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 49. Oral Health Improvement Services Program, §§49.1 - 49.17.

This review is in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §9-10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999.

An assessment will be made by the department as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these 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 department.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Linda Wiegman, Office of General Counsel, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756. Any proposed changes to these rules as a result of the review will be published in the Proposed Rule 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 department.

TRD-200201447

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: March 8, 2002


The Texas Department of Health (department) will review and consider for readoption, revision or repeal Title 25, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 229. Food and Drug, Subchapter. F. Production, Processing, and Distribution of Bottled and Vended Drinking Water, §§229.81 - 229.91.

This review is in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, the General Appropriations Act, Article IX, §9-10.13, 76th Legislature, 1999.

An assessment will be made by the department as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these 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 department.

Comments on the review may be submitted in writing within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Linda Wiegman, Office of General Counsel, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756. Any proposed changes to these rules as a result of the review will be published in the Proposed Rule 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 department.

TRD-200201426

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: March 7, 2002


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 33, Consolidated Permit Processing.

This review of Chapter 33 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, added by Acts 1999, 76th Legislature, Chapter 1499, §1.11(a), 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 33 implements Texas Water Code (TWC), Chapter 5, Subchapter J, which sets forth a process under which a plant, facility, or site may request consolidated permit processing and issuance of a consolidated permit. Federal operating permits are prohibited from consolidation. The statute requires the commission, on request of an applicant, to provide for coordinated application reviews and one consolidated permit hearing on all permits requested to be consolidated by the applicant, and allows the commission to issue one consolidated permit. On October 23, 1998, the commission adopted the Chapter 33 rules, which became effective December 10, 1998. These rules provide general procedural requirements governing consolidated processing of permit applications and the issuance of consolidated permits.

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

The commission conducted a preliminary review of the rules under Chapter 33 and determined that the reasons for the rules in Chapter 33 continue to exist. As stated in the preamble to the aforementioned adoption of Chapter 33, these rules are needed to implement TWC, Chapter 5, Subchapter J, and TWC, §5.406 allows the commission to adopt rules to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The commission invites comments on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 33 continue to exist. 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 2002-008-033-AD. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., April 22, 2002. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Ray Henry Austin, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239-6814.

TRD-200201555

Stephanie Bergeron

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: March 13, 2002


The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission) files this notice of intention to review and proposes the re-adoption of Chapter 220, Regional Assessments of Water Quality. This review of Chapter 220 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039 (added by Acts 1999, 76th Legislature, Chapter 1499, §1.11(a)), 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

In accordance with Texas Water Code (TWC), §26.0135, Chapter 220 establishes the Texas Clean Rivers (TCR) program, a water quality management program involving monitoring and assessment of water quality by watershed and river basin. Chapter 220 consists of two subchapters. Subchapter A establishes procedures for implementing the TCR program by monitoring and assessment of water quality conditions by river basin to support water quality management decisions necessary to maintain and improve the quality of the state's water resources (as defined in TWC, §26.001(5)). Subchapter B establishes the Water Quality Assessment Fee program which is authorized to recover no more than $5.0 million annually. The subchapter provides that the fees recovered shall be used only to accomplish the purposes of the TCR program.

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 220, Subchapter A continue to exist. However, implementation of House Bill (HB) 2912, Article 3, §§3.04 - 3.06, 77th Legislature, 2001, which amended TWC, §26.0135 will necessitate substantial revision of this chapter in a future rulemaking. HB 2912, Article 3, amended TWC, §26.0135 by consolidating certain water quality related fees. In accordance with HB 2912, Article 18, §18.06(b), the amendment to TWC, §26.0135 regarding the consolidation of certain water quality related fees will become effective September 1, 2002 and will apply only to fees due on or after that date. The commission is convening a rulemaking in Rule Log Number 2001-098- 220-WT to revise Chapter 220, which will amend Subchapter A to be consistent with the fee structure mandated by HB 2912, Article 3 and repeal, revise, or replace the existing Subchapter B.

PUBLIC COMMENT

This proposal is limited to the review in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The commission invites public comment on whether the reasons for the rules in Chapter 220 continue to exist pending revision to this chapter to implement HB 2912, Article 3, §§3.04 - 3.06. Comments may be submitted to Patricia Durón, 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 2002-003-220-WT. Comments must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m., April 22, 2002. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Auburn Mitchell, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239-1873.

TRD-200201558

Stephanie Bergeron

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Filed: March 13, 2002