TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Reviews

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Title 30, Part 1

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (commission) files this notice of intention to review and proposes the readoption of Chapter 210, Use of Reclaimed Water, without changes. Any updates, consistency issues, or other changes, if needed, will be addressed in a separate rulemaking.

This review of Chapter 210 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of 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.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 210 provides for the use of reclaimed water. Subchapter A, General Provisions, applies to the reclaimed water producer, provider, and user. Subchapter B, General Requirements for the Production, Conveyance, and Use of Reclaimed Water, establishes general requirements applicable to producers, providers, and users of reclaimed water. This subchapter also establishes requirements and specifications for transfer, storage, and irrigation using reclaimed water and design criteria of reclaimed water systems. Additionally, this subchapter establishes requirements and specifications necessary to minimize discharges of waste into or adjacent to waters in the state. Subchapter C, Quality Criteria and Specific Uses for Reclaimed Water, applies to the reclaimed water producer, the reclaimed water provider, and the reclaimed water user. This subchapter sets the specific uses, the quality standards, as well as the monitoring, record keeping, and reporting standards for reclaimed water. Subchapter D, Alternative and Pre-Existing Reclaimed Water Systems, contains provisions in the event a reclaimed water provider or user proposes to design, construct, or operate a reclaimed water system or to utilize reclaimed water in a manner other than authorized in these rules. Subchapter E, Special Requirements for Use of Industrial Reclaimed Water, establishes the applicable requirements for industrial reclaimed water use which may be used instead of potable water or raw water.

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 210 continue to exist. The rules in this chapter are authorized under Texas Water Code, (TWC), §5.102, which provides the commission the general powers to carry out duties under the TWC; and §5.103, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt any rules necessary to carry out the powers and duties under the provisions of the TWC and other laws of this State. In addition, TWC, §26.011 states that the commission shall administer the provisions of this chapter and shall establish the level of quality to be maintained in and shall control the quality of the water in the State. Finally, TWC, §26.121 provides that no person may discharge sewage, municipal waste, recreational waste, agricultural waste, or industrial waste into or adjacent to any water in the state or commit any other act or engage in any other activity which in itself or in conjunction with any other discharge or activity causes, continues to cause, or will cause pollution of any water in the state.

The rules in Chapter 210 are needed to continue to require reclaimed water quality criteria and design and operational requirements for the reuse of reclaimed water. The requirements will continue to encourage and facilitate the reuse of treated domestic wastewater effluent from municipal wastewater treatment facilities and treated industrial wastewater effluent from industrial facilities for beneficial purposes. The rules will continue to assist in the conservation of surface water and groundwater, ensure the protection of public health, protect the quality of surface water and groundwater, and help ensure an adequate supply of water for present and future needs. These sections do not affect any current requirements necessitating the need for a water right or amendment, if applicable to a particular reclaimed water use or activity.

Chapter 210 will continue to establish criteria for the authorization of reclaimed water activities. The sections will protect the health of persons who might normally come into contact with reclaimed water; protect against adverse effects from reclaimed water should crops be irrigated with reclaimed water; and ensure that the conveyance, storage, and use of reclaimed water will not cause adverse effects to surface water, groundwater, and soil resources. This review will not modify, in any way, the requirements for the producer, provider, and/or user to hold the appropriate water rights relating to the use of state water.

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 this preliminary review of the rules in Chapter 210. 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 2003-004-210-WT. Comments must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m., April 28, 2003. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Clifton Wise, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239-2263.

TRD-200301777

Stephanie Bergeron

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Filed: March 17, 2003


The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (commission) files this notice of intention to review and proposes the readoption of Chapter 330, Municipal Solid Waste, without any changes. Any updates, consistency issues, or other changes, if needed, will be addressed in a separate rulemaking

This review of Chapter 330 is proposed in accordance with the requirements of 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.

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 330 implements state and federal statutory requirements and federal regulatory requirements for the management of municipal solid waste so as to provide for protection of human health and the environment.

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 330 continue to exist. The rules are primarily needed to implement provisions of Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), Chapter 361, Solid Waste Disposal Act. Chapter 330 provides necessary provisions to carry out the statutory mandates to regulate municipal solid waste. The rules also implement provisions of THSC, Chapter 341, Minimum Standards of Sanitation and Health Protection Measures; THSC, Chapter 363, Municipal Solid Waste; and THSC, Chapter 382, Clean Air Act. The rules are based on the aforementioned statutes, the rulemaking power granted the commission under Texas Water Code (TWC), Chapter 5, and the commission's responsibilities for protecting water quality under TWC, Chapter 26.

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 this preliminary review of the rules in Chapter Chapter 330. 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 2003-010-330- WS. Comments must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m., April 28, 2003. For further information or questions concerning this proposal, please contact Ray Henry Austin, Policy and Regulations Division, at (512) 239-6814.

TRD-200301735

Stephanie Bergeron

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Filed: March 13, 2003


Railroad Commission of Texas

Title 16, Part 1

The Railroad Commission of Texas ("Commission") files this notice of intention to review §3.107, relating to Texas Experimental Research and Recovery Activity (TERRA). As part of this review process but in a separate proposal, the Commission has proposed the repeal of §3.107 because the statute authorizing this program Chapter 93 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, no longer exists. This chapter was repealed by Section 76, Senate Bill 310, 77th Legislature (2001).

Comments on the proposed review may be submitted to Rules Coordinator, Office of General Counsel, Railroad Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711-2967; online at www.rrc.state.tx.us/rules/commentform.html; or by electronic mail to rulescoordinator@rrc.state.tx.us. The Commission will accept comments for 30 days after publication in the Texas Register and should refer to Oil and Gas Docket No. 20- 0216753. For further information, call Leslie Savage at (512) 463-7308. The status of Commission rulemakings in progress is available at www.rrc.state.tx.us/rules/proposed.html.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2003.

TRD-200301768

Mary Ross McDonald

Deputy General Counsel

Railroad Commission of Texas

Filed: March 17, 2003


State Securities Board

Title 7, Part 7

The State Securities Board (Agency), beginning March 2003, will review and consider for readoption, revision, or repeal Chapters 113, Registration of Securities; 114, Federal Covered Securities; 123, Administrative Guidelines for Registration of Open-End Investment Companies; 125, Minimum Disclosures in Church and Nonprofit Institution Bond Issues; 135, Industrial Development Corporations and Authorities; and 137, Administrative Guidelines for Regulation of Offers, in accordance with Texas Government Code, Section 2001.039. The rules to be reviewed are located in Title 7, Part 7, of the Texas Administrative Code.

The assessment made by the Agency at this time indicates that the reasons for readopting these chapters continue to exist.

The Agency's Board will consider, among other things, whether the reasons for adoption of these rules continue to exist and whether amendments are needed. Any changes to the rules proposed by the Agency's Board after reviewing the rules and considering the comments received in response to this notice will appear in the "Rules Proposed" section of the Texas Register and will be adopted in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code Annotated, Chapter 2001. The comment period will last for 30 days beginning with the publication of this notice of intention to review.

Comments or questions regarding this notice of intention to review may be submitted in writing, within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register , to David Weaver, General Counsel, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167, or sent by facsimile to Mr. Weaver at (512) 305-8310. Comments will be reviewed and discussed in a future Board meeting.

TRD-200301795

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Filed: March 18, 2003


Texas Water Development Board

Title 31, Part 10

The Texas Water Development Board (the Board) files this notice of intent to review 31 TAC, Part X, Chapter 359, Water Banking, in accordance with the Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The Board finds that the reason for adopting the chapter continues to exist. The Board concurrently proposes amendments to §359.2, Definitions, and §359.14, Fees. The amendments will update a definition and change the requirement for approval of the fee schedule from two years, to an as needed basis.

As required by the Texas Government Code §2001.039, the Board will accept comments and make a final assessment regarding whether the reason for adopting each of the rules in 31 TAC Chapter 359 continues to exist. The comment period will last 30 days beginning with the publication of this notice of intent to review.

Comments or questions regarding this rule review may be submitted to Suzanne Schwartz, General Counsel, Texas Water Development Board, P.O. Box 13231, Austin, Texas, 78711-3231, by e-mail to suzanne.schwartz@twdb.state.tx.us or by fax at (512) 463-5580.

TRD-200301823

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Filed: March 19, 2003


Adopted Rule Review

Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

Title 43, Part 3

The Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) has completed its review of Chapter 57 relating to the ATPA, as published in the January 3, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 371).

In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code §2001.039, the ATPA readopts Chapter 57 and finds that the reasons for initially adopting this chapter continue to exist.

No comments were received on the §167 review requirement for Chapter 57 as to whether the reason for adopting the rules continues to exist.

TRD-200301726

Susan Sampson

ATPA Director

Automobile Theft Prevention Authority

Filed: March 13, 2003