Emergency Sections
An agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an existing section on an
emergency basis if it determines that such action is necessary for the public
health, safety, or welfare of this state. The section may become effective
immediately upon filing with the Texas Register, or on a stated date less than
20 days after filing, for no more than 120 days. The emergency action is
renewable once for no more than 60 days.
Symbology in amended emergency sections. New language added to an existing
section is indicated by the use of bold text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of
existing material within a section.
TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
Part IX. Texas Water Commission
Chapter 290. Water Hygiene
Laboratory Analysis
31 TAC sec.290.50
The Texas Water Commission (TWC) adopts on an emergency basis new sec.290.50,
concerning public water supply system laboratory analysis. Section 290.50 states
that laboratories providing analytical services for public water supply systems
must be approved by the TWC.
Senate Bill 2, First Called Session, 72nd Legislature, transferred all the
powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Texas Department of Health (TDH)
pertaining to public water supply systems to the TWC, effective March 1, 1992,
and this section is being adopted on an emergency basis to implement that
jurisdictional change. The TDH's existing rules pertaining to the previously-
referenced program will transfer to the TWC through recodification. However, the
TWC has determined that several of TDH's procedural rules should not be
recodified as they conflict with the TWC's current procedural regulations. It is
the TWC's intention that its existing procedural rules apply to the newly
transferred programs.
The new section is adopted on an emergency basis under Texas Water Code, sec.5.
103, which provides the Texas Water Commission with the authority to adopt any
rules necessary to carry out its powers and duties and the Texas Health and
Safety Code, Chapter 341, Subchapter C, which governs sanitary standards of
drinking water; protection of public water supplies standards of drinking water;
protection of public water supplies and bodies of water.
sec.290.50. Laboratory Analysis.
All samples for chemical, radiological, or
bacteriological analysis must be submitted to a laboratory approved by the
commission, with the exception of turbidity and any control tests such as
chlorine residual, alkalinity, and pH which are not used to determine compliance
with the standards delineated in this chapter. Such control tests may be run in
the plant laboratory.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on March 23, 1992.
TRD-9204126
Mary Ruth Holder
Director, Legal Division
Texas Water Commission
Effective date: March 23, 1992
Expiration date: July 21, 1992
For further information, please call: (512) 463-8069
Chapter 330. Municipal Solid Waste
Subchapter Y. Medical Waste Management
31 TAC sec.330.1010
The Texas Water Commission (TWC) adopts on an emergency basis new sec.330. 1010,
concerning medical waste management. This section is adopted on an emergency
basis to implement the provisions of Senate Bill 2, First Called Session, 72nd
Legislature, 1991 (Senate Bill 2), which transferred the authority to regulate
medical waste disposal from the Texas Department of Health to the Texas Water
Commission, effective March 1, 1992. The TDH rules concerning medical waste
management are currently in 25 TAC sec.sec.325.1001-325.1009. These rules will
be recodified as 31 TAC sec.sec.330.1001-330.1009. However, these rules refer to
regulations identified in 1 TAC sec.sec.1.131-1.137, concerning the "Definition,
Treatment, and Disposition of Special Waste from Health-Care Related
Facilities." The regulations found in 25 TAC sec.sec.1.131-1.137 apply to the
medical waste treatment program retained by the TDH, as well as the medical
waste disposal program which transferred to the TWC. There fore, the TWC adopts
the following rule on an emergency basis.
The new section is adopted on an emergency basis under the Texas Water Code,
sec.5.103, and sec.26.011, which gives the Texas Water Commission the authority
to adopt any rules necessary to carry out its powers, duties, and policies and
to protect water quality in the state. The section is also adopted under the
Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 361
(Vernon), which gives the Texas Water Commission the authority to regulate
municipal solid wastes and to adopt rules and promulgate rules consistent with
the general intent and purposes of the Act.
sec.330.1010. Medical Waste Management. All references by the commission in this
subchapter to the regulations contained in 25 TAC sec.sec.1.131-1. 137 (relating
to the Definition, Treatment, and Disposition of Special Waste from Health Care
Related Facilities) are adopted by the commission only for the medical waste
management program over which TWC has jurisdiction.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on March 20, 1992.
TRD-9204125
Mary Ruth Holder
Director, Legal Division
Texas Water Commission
Effective date: March 23, 1992
Expiration date: July 21, 1992
For further information, please call: (512) 463-8069
Chapter 336. Radiation Rules
Disposal of Radioactive Substances
31 TAC sec.336.1
The Texas Water Commission (TWC) adopts on an emergency basis new sec.336.1,
concerning disposal of radioactive substances. Section 336.1 adopts portions of
the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation (TRCR) by reference which
addresses the management of radioactive substances. Senate Bill 2, First Called
Session, 72nd Legislature, allocated the jurisdiction of only the disposal of
radioactive substances in Texas to the TWC. It appears that all other portions
of the radiation program would remain with the Texas Department of Health. The
TRCR is formatted in accordance with the state's agreement with the United
States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and, at this time, cannot be divided
between the agencies. Therefore, sec.336.1 adopts only those portions of the
TRCR concerning the radiation program over which the TWC has jurisdiction. This
section is being adopted on an emergency basis in order to implement the
provisions of Senate Bill 2, which transferred the jurisdiction over the
disposal of radioactive substances to the Texas Water Commission effective March
1, 1992.
The new section is adopted on an emergency basis under the Texas Water Code,
sec.5.103, which gives the commission the authority to adopt any rules necessary
to carry out its powers, duties, and policies and Texas Health and Safety Code,
sec.401.412, which gives the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (the
successor agency to the Texas Water Commission) the authority to adopt any rules
necessary to exercise its authority.
sec.336.1. Disposal of Radioactive Substances. The TWC adopts by reference only
those portions of the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation concerning
the disposal of radioactive substances. Those portions are found in Parts 11,
12, 13, 21, 22, 41, 43, and 45. Copies of the TRCRs may be obtained from Marilyn
Kelso, (512) 834-6688, extension 2060; or may be obtained in person at the
Exchange Building, Room N-127, 8407 Wall Street, Austin, Texas 78754.
Issued in Austin, Texas on March 23, 1992.
TRD-9204127
Mary Ruth Holder
Director, Legal Division
Texas Water Commission
Effective date: March 23, 1992
Expiration date: July 21, 1992
For further information, please call: (512) 463-8069