TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Reviews

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. Texas Department of Health, Chapter 289. Radiation Control, Subchapter D. General, §289.205.

This review is in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Government Code, §2001.039 regarding agency review of existing rules.

An assessment will be made by the department as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting this rule continues 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 Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the committee.

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 this rule 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 committee.

TRD-200301033

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: February 12, 2003


Texas Health Care Information Council

Title 25, Part 16

The Texas Health Care Information Council (Council) files this notice of intent to review and consider for re-adoption, revision, or repeal, Title 25, Health Services, Part 16, Chapter 1301, Health Care Information, Collection and Release of Hospital Discharge Data. This review and consideration is being conducted in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, added by Acts 1999, 76th Legislature, chapter 1499, §1.11(a).

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 Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current procedures of the Council.

As required by Texas Government Code, §2001.039, any questions or written comments pertaining to this rule review may be submitted to Bruce M. Burns, D.C., Program Specialist, Texas Health Care Information Council, Two Commodore Plaza, 206 East 9th Street, Suite 19.140, Austin, Texas 78701. Comments must arrive no later than 31 calendar days from the date that these proposed sections are published in the Texas Register .

Any proposed changes to these rules as a result of the rule review will be published in the Proposed Rule Section of the Texas Register . The proposed rules will be open for public comment prior to final adoption or repeal by the Council, in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 2001.

25 TAC §1301.11. Definitions.

25 TAC §1301.12 Collection of Hospital Discharge Data.

25 TAC §1301.13 Schedule for Filing Discharge Reports.

25 TAC §1301.14 Instructions for Filing Discharge Reports.

25 TAC §1301.15 Exemptions from Filing Requirements.

25 TAC §1301.16. Acceptance of Discharge Reports and Correction of Errors.

25 TAC §1301.17. Certification of Discharge Reports.

25 TAC §1301.18. Hospital Discharge Data Release.

25 TAC §1301.19. Discharge Reports--Records, Data Fields and Codes.

25 TAC §1301.20. Scientific Review Panel.

TRD-200300925

Jim Loyd

Executive Director

Texas Health Care Information Council

Filed: February 6, 2003


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 160 concerning Workers' Health And Safety--General Provisions. 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 March 21, 2003 and submitted to Nell Cheslock, Legal Services, Office of General Counsel, Mailstop #4-D, Texas Workers' Compensation Commission, Southfield Building, 4000 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78704-7491.

Chapter 160. Workers' Health And Safety--General Provisions

§160.2. Non-Subscribing Employer's Report of Injury.

§160.3. Subscribing Employer's Report of Injury.

TRD-200300974

Susan Cory

General Counsel

Texas Workers' Compensation Commission

Filed: February 10, 2003


Adopted Rule Reviews

Texas Commission for the Blind

Title 40, Part 4

The Texas Commission for the Blind has completed its review of all rules in Chapter 171 of its rules pertaining to Donations in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.039, added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1499, §1.11(a).

The Board received no public comments in response to its notice of the proposed rule review filed in the June 28, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 5803). The public was invited to make comments on the rules as they then existed in Title 40 TAC, Part 4, Chapter 171.

In its November 2002 meeting, the Commission's review of the chapter indicated that changes were required in two sections. The changes were proposed in the November 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 10911). No comments were received as a result of the proposed changes. As a result of the review, on February 7, 2003, §171.1, Coordination of Services to Disabled Persons, was readopted without changes; §171.2, Coordinated Services for Children and Youths, was repealed; §171.3, Transition Planning for Students Receiving Special Education, was amended; and §171.4, Continuity of Care System for Offenders with Physical Disabilities, was readopted without changes.

TRD-200300992

Terrell I. Murphy

Executive Director

Texas Commission for the Blind

Filed: February 11, 2003


Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Title 30, Part 1

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (commission) adopts the rules review and readopts Chapter 5, Advisory Committees and Groups, in accordance with Texas Government Code, §2001.039, 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. The notice of intention to review was published in the November 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 11184).

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 5 provides the authority and procedures for the commission, executive director, and staff for creating advisory committees and groups for the purpose of receiving advice on specific matters. The chapter establishes requirements, procedures, and policies relating to the creation, duties, operation, and duration of advisory committees and groups. The chapter is divided into three subchapters.

Subchapter A establishes a common purpose and definitions for the other two subchapters. The subchapter includes a definition for "balanced representation" which, by statute, the commission, executive director, and staff are required to make reasonable attempts to achieve in the creation of advisory committees and groups.

Subchapter B addresses advisory committees, which for the purposes of this subchapter are those committees created by the commission or by state law for the purpose of providing advice to the commission.

Subchapter C addresses advisory groups.

This rules review readopts the rules without any changes.

ASSESSMENT OF WHETHER THE REASONS FOR THE RULES CONTINUE TO EXIST

The commission conducted a review and determined that the reasons for the rules in Chapter 5 continue to exist. The rules are needed to implement requirements of Texas Water Code (TWC), §5.107, relating to Advisory Committees, Work Groups, and Task Forces, and particularly the additional authority and requirements added to TWC, §5.107 by House Bill (HB) 2912, §1.10, 77th Legislature, 2001. The rules are also needed to implement requirements of Texas Government Code, Chapter 2110, relating to Agency Advisory Committees, including clarifications that were provided by HB 2914, Article 45, 77th Legislature, 2001.

In a separate rulemaking, Rule Log Number 2002-054-005-AD, the commission proposes to amend §5.13 to allow advisory committees and subcommittees to meet in closed session for the purpose of reviewing and developing license examination questions and related materials.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The public comment period closed on December 30, 2002. No comments were received.

TRD-200300959

Paul C. Sarahan

Director, Litigation Division

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Filed: February 10, 2003


The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (commission) adopts the rules review and readopts Chapter 113, Standards of Performance for Hazardous Air Pollutants and for Designated Facilities and Pollutants, in accordance with Texas Government Code, §2001.039, 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. The notice of intention to review was published in the September 20, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 8969).

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 113 is currently divided into four subchapters, A - D. Subchapter A, concerning Definitions, contains the definitions pertinent to rules contained within Chapter 113 only. Subchapter B, concerning National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS), contains state adopted rules which incorporate some of the federal NESHAPS as promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61 (40 CFR Part 61). Subchapter C, concerning National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories, contains state adopted rules which incorporate the federal NESHAPS as promulgated in 40 CFR Part 63. The NESHAPS in 40 CFR Part 63 incorporate the maximum available control technology (MACT) standards as defined for each of the affected source categories, and are also referred to as MACT standards. Subchapter D, concerning Designated Facilities and Pollutants, contains state adopted rules applicable to existing sources which are adopted as emissions guidelines in accordance with Federal Clean Air Act (FCAA), §111(d). These emissions guidelines are promulgated in 40 CFR Part 60.

The commission recently adopted a new Subchapter E, Consolidated Federal Air Rules (CAR): Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI) {FCAA, §112, 40 CFR Part 65}. In Subchapter E, the commission adopted by reference, without any revisions, all six EPA requirements in 40 CFR Part 65 - Consolidated Federal Air Rule (CAR): Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). In promulgating the CAR regulations, the EPA consolidated major portions of several new source performance standards and NESHAPs applicable to storage vessels, process vents, transfer operations, and equipment leaks within the SOCMI. The promulgated rule pulled together applicable federal SOCMI rules into one integrated set of rules in order to simplify, clarify, and improve implementation of the existing rules with which source owners or operators must comply. The CAR is an optional compliance alternative for a SOCMI source.

The commission is also separately proposing amendments and additions to NESHAP provisions in Chapter 113, Subchapter C (see Rule Log Number 2002-036a-113-AI). The proposed amendments incorporate changes that the EPA has made to 40 CFR Part 63 by updating the federal promulgation dates cited in the commission rules that were previously adopted by reference. In addition, new sections are proposed that will adopt by reference subparts which are contained in 40 CFR Part 63 that have not been previously incorporated into Chapter 113.

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 113 continue to exist. The rules are needed to control air pollution from designated pollutants and facilities, as well as toxic materials throughout the State of Texas, by providing a format for the commission to adopt the federal stationary source performance standards and hazardous air pollutant standards as they are promulgated by EPA in 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, 63, and 65.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The public comment period closed on October 21, 2002. No comments were received.

TRD-200300999

Stephanie Bergeron

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Filed: February 11, 2003


Texas Racing Commission

Title 16, Part 8

The Texas Racing Commission has completed its review of Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Part 8, Chapter 319, relating to Veterinary Practices and Drug Testing in accordance with Government Code, §2001.39. The notice of intent to review was published in the November 15, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 10769). As part of this review process, the Commission proposed new §319.16, amendments to §§319.6, 319.102, 319.202, 319.303, 319.332-319.334, and 319.338, and the repeal of §309.108. These rule actions, which were published in the November 15, 2002 issue of the Texas Register , are adopted without changes to the proposed text. The Commission also proposed the readoption of the following sections without amendment: §§319.1-319.5, 319.7-319.15, 319.101, 319.104-112, 319.201, 319.203-204, 319.301-319.302, 319.304, 319.331, 319.335-319.337, 319.361-319.362, and 319.391.

The Commission received no comments regarding the notice of intent to review this chapter, nor did it receive any comments on the proposed new section, amendments, or repeal. The Commission finds that the reasons for this chapter continue to exist and they are hereby readopted.

TRD-200300936

Paula C. Flowerday

Executive Secretary

Texas Racing Commission

Filed: February 7, 2003


State Securities Board

Title 7, Part 7

Pursuant to the notice of proposed rule review published in the Texas Register (27 TexReg 8618), September 6, 2002, the State Securities Board (Board) has reviewed and considered for readoption, revision, or repeal, all sections of the following chapters of Title 7, Part 7 of the Texas Administrative Code, in accordance with the Texas Government Code, §2001.039: Chapter 101, General Administration; Chapter 103, Rulemaking Procedure; and Chapter 104, Procedure for Review of Applications.

The Board considered, among other things, whether the reasons for adoption of these rules continue to exist. After its review, the Board finds that the reasons for adopting these rules continue to exist and readopts these chapters, without changes, pursuant to the requirements of the Government Code.

As part of the review process, the Board is proposing a variety of changes to §§101.1, 101.5, 101.6, 104.1, 104.2, and 104.4 - 104.6. The proposed changes will be published in the "Proposed Rules" section of a future issue of the Texas Register , in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 2001.

No comments were received regarding the readoption of Chapters 101, 103, and 104.

This concludes the review of 7 TAC Chapters 101, 103, and 104.

TRD-200300926

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Filed: February 6, 2003


Pursuant to the notice of proposed rule review published in the Texas Register (27 TexReg 11797), December 13, 2002, the State Securities Board (Board) has reviewed and considered for readoption, revision, or repeal, all sections of the following chapters of Title 7, Part 7 of the Texas Administrative Code, in accordance with the Texas Government Code, §2001.039: Chapter 117, Administrative Guidelines for Registration of Real Estate Programs; Chapter 121, Administrative Guidelines for Registration of Oil and Gas Programs; Chapter 129, Administrative Guidelines for Registration of Asset-Backed Securities; Chapter 141, Administrative Guidelines for Registration of Equipment Programs; and Chapter 143, Administrative Guidelines for Registration of Real Estate Investment Trusts.

The Board considered, among other things, whether the reasons for adoption of these rules continue to exist. After its review, the Board finds that the reasons for adopting these rules continue to exist and readopts these chapters, without changes, pursuant to the requirements of the Government Code.

No comments were received regarding the readoption of Chapters 117, 121, 129, 141, and 143.

This concludes the review of 7 TAC Chapters 117, 121, 129, 141, and 143.

TRD-200300927

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Filed: February 6, 2003