TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Reviews

Texas Department of Agriculture

Title 4, Part 1

The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes to review Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 3, concerning boll weevil eradication program, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Section 2001.039 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 original justification for the rules continues to exist.

The assessment of Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter A, concerning Election Procedures; Subchapter B, concerning Establishment of Foundation Rules, Procedures, and Methods of Treatment; Subchapter C, concerning Prohibition of Planting of Cotton; Subchapter D, concerning Requirements for Participation in the Eradication Program and Administrative Penalty Enforcement; Subchapter F, concerning Miscellaneous Provisions; Subchapter H, concerning Use of Bio-Intensive Controls in Active Boll Weevil Eradication Zones; Subchapter I, concerning Compliance Certificate Program Rules; and Subchapter J, concerning Organic Cotton Rules by the department at this time indicates that the reason for readopting without changes all sections in these subchapters continues to exist. As part of the review process, the department proposes new Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter E, concerning Creation of Zones §3.119, and the repeal of Subchapter G, concerning Transfer or Addition of Areas From One Eradication Zone to Another Zone, §3.300. These may be found in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register . The assessment of Chapter 3, Subchapters E and Subchapter G by the department at this time, indicates that with the exception of the proposed new section and the repeal of §3.300, the reason for readopting without changes all remaining sections in Chapter 3, Subchapters E and G continues to exist.

The department is accepting comment on the review of Chapter 3. Comments on the review may be submitted within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to Brian Murray, Special Assistant for Producer Relations, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas, 78711.

TRD-200403616

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: May 28, 2004


The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes to review Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 9, concerning Seed Quality, Chapter 10, concerning Seed Certification, and Chapter 16, concerning Aquaculture, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Section 2001.039 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 original justification for the rules continues to exist.

The assessment of Title 4, Part 1, Chapters 9, 10, and 16 by the department at this time indicates that the reason for readopting without changes all sections in these chapters continues to exist.

The department is accepting comment on the review of Chapters 9, 10, and 16. Comments on the review may be submitted within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to David Kostroun, Assistant Commissioner for Regulatory Programs, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711.

TRD-200403592

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: May 27, 2004


The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes to review Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 20, concerning cotton pest control, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Section 2001.039 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 original justification for the rules continues to exist.

As part of the review process, the department proposes amendments to Chapter 20, Subchapter A, concerning General Provisions, §20.1 and §20.3; Subchapter B, concerning Quarantine Requirements, §20.10 and §20.16; and Subchapter C, concerning Stalk Destruction Program, §20.20 and §20.22. These may be found in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register . The assessment of Chapter 20, Subchapters A, B and C, by the department at this time, indicates that with the exception of the proposed amendments to §§20.1, 20.3, 20.16, 20.20 and 20.22, the reason for readopting without changes all remaining sections in Chapter 20, Subchapters A, B and C continues to exist.

The department is accepting comment on the review of Chapter 20. Comments on the review may be submitted within 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register to David Kostroun, Assistant Commissioner for Regulatory Programs, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas, 78711.

TRD-200403634

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: May 28, 2004


Adopted Rule Reviews

Texas Department of Agriculture

Title 4, Part 1

The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) adopts the review of Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 1, concerning General Procedures, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and readopts sections in Chapter 1, Subchapter A, concerning General Rules of Practice; Subchapter B, concerning Collection of Debts; Subchapter C, concerning Minority Purchasing; Subchapter D, concerning Miscellaneous Provisions; Subchapter G, concerning Interagency Agreements; Subchapter H, concerning Requests for Public Information; Subchapter J, concerning Agricultural Lien Disputes; Subchapter K, concerning Employee Training Rules; Subchapter L, concerning Urban Schools Grants Program and Subchapter M, concerning Surplus Agricultural Products, as proposed in its notice of intent to review. The proposed notice of intent to review was published in the April 23, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 3977). No comments were received on the proposal.

Section 2001.039 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 original justification for the rules continues to exist. The assessment of Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, concerning General Rules of Practice; Subchapter B, concerning Collection of Debts; Subchapter D, concerning Miscellaneous Provisions; Subchapter G, concerning Interagency Agreements; Subchapter H, concerning Requests for Public Information; Subchapter J, concerning Agricultural Lien Disputes; Subchapter K, concerning Employee Training Rules; Subchapter L, concerning Urban Schools Grants Program and Subchapter M, concerning Surplus Agricultural Products by the department at this time indicates that the reason for readopting without changes all sections in these subchapters continues to exist. As part of the review process, the department proposed the amendment of Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 1, Subchapter C, §§1.73 - 1.75 and §1.78, and the addition of §1.207 and §1.208 to Subchapter E. The proposal was also published in the April 23, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 3889). No comments were received on the proposal. The assessment of Chapter 1, Subchapter C, concerning Minority Purchasing; and Subchapter E, concerning Advisory Committees by the department at this time, indicates that with the addition of adopted amendments to §§1.73 - 1.75 and §1.78, and the addition of new §1.207 and §1.208, the reason for readopting without changes all remaining sections in Chapter 1, Subchapters C and E continues to exist.

TRD-200403594

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: May 27, 2004


The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) adopts the review of Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 12, concerning Weights and Measures Regulations, Chapter 19, concerning Quarantines, and Chapter 22, concerning Nursery Products and Floral Items, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.039 and readopts these chapters as proposed in its notice of intent to review. The proposed notice of intent to review was published in the April 23, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 3977).

Section 2001.039 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 original justification for the rules continues to exist. The assessment of Title 4, Part 1, Chapters 12 and 22 by the department at this time indicates that the reason for readopting without changes all sections in Chapters 12 and 22 continues to exist. As part of the review process, the department proposed the amendment of Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 19, §19.23. This proposal was also published in the proposed rule section of the April 23, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 3891). No comments were received on the proposal, and the department has adopted the amendments to §19.23 without changes. The assessment of Chapter 19 by the department at this time indicates that the reason for readopting without changes all remaining sections in Chapter 19 continues to exist.

TRD-200403596

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: May 27, 2004


Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Title 30, Part 1

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (commission) adopts the rule review and readopts Chapter 344, Landscape Irrigation, without changes, 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 January 9, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 383).

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Chapter 344 provides for the regulation of landscape irrigation systems. Subchapter A contains definitions that pertain to the entire chapter and license requirements for persons working in the landscape irrigation field. Subchapter B describes the makeup and functions of the Irrigator Advisory Council. Subchapter C sets forth the requirements for displaying licenses and use of seals by licensed professionals. Subchapter D provides standards for landscape irrigation systems, including water conservation, backflow prevention, design and installation standards, and compliance with local requirements, ordinances, and regulations. Subchapter F sets standards of conduct for licensed irrigators and licensed installers.

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 344 continue to exist. The rules are needed to implement Texas Occupations Code, §1903.053, which authorizes the commission to adopt standards to govern connection to a water supply by an irrigator or installer, and allows adoption of standards for irrigation, including water conservation, irrigation system design and installation, and for compliance with municipal codes by an irrigator or installer and Texas Occupations Code, §1903.251, which prohibits a person from acting as an irrigator or installer without being certified.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The public comment period closed on February 9, 2004. No comments were received.

TRD-200403607

Stephanie Bergeron

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Filed: May 28, 2004