TITLE 30.ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Part 1. TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Chapter 286. ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

The Texas On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council (council) proposes the repeal of 30 TAC Chapter 286 (relating to On-Site Wastewater Research Council); Subchapter A, §§286.1 - 286.14 (relating to The Council); Subchapter B, §§286.31 - 286.34, 286.51 - 286.53, 286.74, and 286.91 - 286.98 (relating to Grants); and Subchapter C, §286.131 (relating to Grants and Donations to the Council).

EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED RULE

All subchapters of 30 TAC Chapter 286 are being proposed for repeal by the council. New rules related to the council's activities have been adopted under 31 TAC Chapter 286, relating to the Texas On- Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council. These newly adopted rules provide for clearer administration of the council's programs as a separate state agency from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission). The existence of 30 TAC Chapter 286 is confusing because it is imbedded within Title 30, Part I, which is reserved for rules of the commission. As per the Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), Chapter 367, relating to the On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council, the council is a separate state agency for which the commission provides staff and other administrative support. The repeal of 30 TAC Chapter 286 will complete the process of transferring the council's rules from Title 30 to Title 31.

FISCAL NOTE

Warren Samuelson, Executive Secretary for the Council, has determined that there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of a repeal of these rules. Repeal of the rules will not result in an increase in workload for the council staff.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

Mr. Samuelson has also determined that the public benefit anticipated from repeal of these rules will be removal of ambiguity between old rules and the new rules promulgated under 31 TAC Chapter 286.

SMALL AND MICRO-BUSINESS IMPACT ANALYSIS

The proposed repeal of the rules is not anticipated to impose costs on individuals, small businesses, or micro-businesses.

DRAFT REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS

The council has reviewed the proposed repeal of the rules in light of the regulatory analysis requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.0225, and has determined that repeal of the rules is not subject to §2001.0225 because it does not meet the definition of a "major environmental rule" as defined in that statute.

TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The council has prepared a takings assessment for repeal of these rules pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2007.043. The purpose of this repeal of these rules is due to eliminate redundancy of two sets of rules. Therefore, the repeal of these rules will not constitute a takings under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007.

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CONSISTENCY REVIEW

The council has determined that the proposed repeal of these rules does not relate to an action subject to the Texas Coastal Management Program in accordance with the Coastal Coordination Act of 1991, as amended (Texas Natural Resources Code, §§33.201 et seq.).

SUBMITTAL OF COMMENTS

Written comments may be submitted to the Executive Secretary of the Council, Warren Samuelson, P. E., Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Installer Certification Section, MC - 178, P. O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 or faxed to (512) 239-6390. All comments should reference Chapter 286, On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., August 21, 2000. For further information, please contact Warren Samuelson at (512) 239-4799.

Subchapter A. COUNCIL PROCEDURES

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

30 TAC §§286.1 - 286.14

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeal of the rules is proposed under the authority and effect the provisions of THSC, §367.008, which authorizes the council to establish procedures for awarding competitive grands and disbursing grant money. The proposed repeal of 30 TAC Chapter 286 has been reviewed by legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General and has been found to be within the council's authority to adopt.

No other codes, statutes, or rules will be affected by this proposal.

§286.1.Purpose and Scope.

§286.2.Definitions.

§286.3.Meetings.

§286.4.Transaction of Official Business.

§286.5.Attendance.

§286.6.Agendas.

§286.7.Minutes.

§286.8.Elections.

§286.9.Officers.

§286.10.Committees.

§286.11.Executive Secretary.

§286.12.Reimbursement for Expenses.

§286.13.Official Records.

§286.14.Impartiality and Non-discrimination.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 10, 2000.

TRD-200004742

Warren Samuelson

Executive Secretary, Texas On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Proposed date of adoption: August 21, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4799


Subchapter B. GRANTS

30 TAC §§286.31 - 286.34, 286.51 - 286.53, 286.74, 286.91 - 286.98

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeal of the rules is proposed under the authority and effect the provisions of THSC, §367.008, which authorizes the council to establish procedures for awarding competitive grands and disbursing grant money. The proposed repeal of 30 TAC Chapter 286 has been reviewed by legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General and has been found to be within the council's authority to adopt.

No other codes, statutes, or rules will be affected by this proposal.

§286.31.Purpose.

§286.32.Council Objectives.

§286.33.Funding.

§286.34.Indemnification.

§286.51.Applied Research Grants.

§286.52.Demonstration and Monitoring Grants.

§286.53.Technology Transfer Grants.

§286.74.Mailing Address.

§286.91.Receipt of Proposals.

§286.92.Council Review.

§286.93.Discussion of Proposals.

§286.94.Status of Proposals.

§286.95.Decision Making.

§286.96.Awards.

§286.97.Denials.

§286.98.Tabling Decision.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 10, 2000.

TRD-200004743

Warren Samuelson

Executive Secretary, Texas On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Proposed date of adoption: August 21, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4799


Subchapter C. GRANTS AND DONATIONS TO THE COUNCIL

30 TAC §286.131

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeal of the rule is proposed under the authority and effect the provisions of THSC, §367.008, which authorizes the council to establish procedures for awarding competitive grands and disbursing grant money. The proposed repeal of 30 TAC Chapter 286 has been reviewed by legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General and has been found to be within the council's authority to adopt.

No other codes, statutes, or rules will be affected by this proposal.

§286.131.Grants and Donations.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 10, 2000.

TRD-200004744

Warren Samuelson

Executive Secretary, Texas On-Site Wastewater Treatment Research Council

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Proposed date of adoption: August 21, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4799