TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Reviews

Texas Department of Agriculture

Title 4, Part 1

The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) files this Notice of Intention to Review Title 4, Texas Administrative Code, Part 1, Chapter 29, Subchapter A, concerning Rural Economic Development Program, pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2001.039. Section 2001.039 requires state agencies to review each of their rules every four years and consider the rules under review for readoption, revision or repeal. 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 29, Subchapter A, by the department at this time indicates that the original justification for the rules continues to exist and the department is proposing to readopt all sections in Chapter 29, Subchapter A, without changes.

Comments on the review of Chapter 29, Subchapter A, may be submitted to Robert Wood, Assistant Commissioner for Rural Economic Development, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78701, and must be received by the department within 30 days of the publication of this notice in the Texas Register .

TRD-200603658

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Filed: July 10, 2006


Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Title 28, Part 2

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation files this notice of intention to review the rules contained in Chapter 51 concerning Award of the Board. 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 Division's reason for adopting the following rules contained in this chapter continues to exist and it proposes to readopt these rules:

§51.10. Joint Payment of Award.

§51.15. Periodic Installments.

§51.20. Lump Sum Payment.

§51.25. Request for Review.

§51.30. Review of Award.

§51.50. Payments of Attorney Fees.

§51.65. Attorney Fees.

Comments regarding whether the reason for adopting these rules continues to exist must be received by 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2006, and submitted to Kristi Dowding, Legal and Compliance, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, 7551 Metro Center Drive, Suite 100, MS-4D, Austin, Texas 78744-1609.

TRD-200603708

Norma Garcia

General Counsel

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Filed: July 12, 2006


The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation files this notice of intention to review the rules contained in Chapter 61 concerning Prehearing Conferences. 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 Division's reason for adopting the following rules contained in this chapter continues to exist and it proposes to readopt these rules:

§61.5. Request for Prehearing Conference.

§61.7. Request of Prehearing Conference.

§61.15. Setting under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 8306, §18a.

§61.20. Setting on Hardship.

§61.25. Setting at Carrier's Request.

§61.30. Filing of Medical Information.

§61.35. Exchange of Medical Information.

§61.40. Additional Medical.

§61.45. Charges for Reports.

§61.50. Representatives Must Be Qualified.

§61.55. Supply of Forms.

§61.60. Attendance at Conference.

§61.65. Request for Cancellation of Prehearing Conference.

§61.70. Maintain Setting.

§61.75. Failure To Appear.

§61.80. Preparation at Conference.

§61.85. Carrier Self-Audit of Prehearing Conference.

§61.90. Conduct at Prehearing Conference.

§61.95. Consular Officers.

Comments regarding whether the reason for adopting these rules continues to exist must be received by 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2006, and submitted to Kristi Dowding, Legal and Compliance, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, 7551 Metro Center Drive, Suite 100, MS-4D, Austin, Texas 78744-1609.

TRD-200603709

Norma Garcia

General Counsel

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Filed: July 12, 2006


Railroad Commission of Texas

Title 16, Part 1

The Railroad Commission of Texas files this notice of intent to review and re-adopt all rules in 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 4, relating to Environmental Protection, in accordance with Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The Commission's reasons for adopting these rules continue to exist. Through the rules in Chapter 4, Subchapter D, the Commission has established and the Oil and Gas Division administers the voluntary cleanup program. The purpose of this program is to provide an incentive to clean up property contaminated by activities under Commission jurisdiction by removing the liability to the state of lenders, developers, owners, and operators who did not cause or contribute to contamination released at the site. The program is restricted to voluntary actions but does not replace other voluntary actions. Through the rules in Chapter 4, Subchapter F, the Commission has established requirements for the identification of equipment contaminated with oil and gas Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and the disposal of oil and gas NORM waste for the purpose of protecting public health, safety, and the environment.

In a separate, currently pending rulemaking, the Commission has proposed new rules §§4.201-4.226, in new Subchapter B of Chapter 4, in response to a petition for rulemaking concerning commercial recycling facilities and based on its experience with permitting such facilities over the past several years. The proposal was published in the June 2, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 4543) for a 30 day comment period.

Comments on the notice of intent to review all rules in 16 TAC Chapter 4 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 . The Commission encourages all interested persons to submit comments no later than the deadline; the Commission cannot guarantee that comments submitted after the deadline will be considered. 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 July 6, 2006.

TRD-200603621

Mary Ross McDonald

Managing Director

Railroad Commission of Texas

Filed: July 6, 2006


The Railroad Commission of Texas files this notice of intent to review and re-adopt all rules in 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 7, relating to Gas Services Division, in accordance with Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The Commission's reasons for adopting these rules continue to exist. Through the rules in Chapter 7, the Commission administers the regulatory statutes pertaining to gas utilities. Subchapter B includes the minimum service standards for gas utility service to residential and small commercial customers in unincorporated areas; requirements for communication by gas utilities with members or employees of the Commission; procedures and requirements for filing documents; and minimum content and notice requirements for statements of intent and petitions for review of municipal action. Subchapter C contains the rules for gas utilities' filing of records, annual reports, and tariffs, and for administration of the gas utility tax. Subchapter D contains the rules for customer service and protection, including rules governing gas distribution in mobile home parks, apartment houses, and apartment units; curtailment standards; suspension of gas utility service disconnection during an extreme weather emergency; and abandonment. In Subchapter E, the Commission's has adopted rules for rates and rate-setting procedures, including standards for including certain investments and expenses in the costs of a gas utility for rate-setting purposes. Subchapter G contains the code of conduct rule, which specifies standards of conduct governing the provision of gas transportation services, for the purpose of preventing discrimination. Subchapter H contains the rule prescribing the procedures and standards for gas utility interim rate adjustments. Finally, Subchapter I contains the rule that created the natural gas pipeline competition study advisory committee, created to give the Commission the benefit of the members' collective business, technical, and operating expertise and experience to help the Commission review competition in the Texas intrastate natural gas pipeline industry, assess the effect of current statutes and rules on competition, and develop recommendations for changes to statutes or rules that may be necessary, in conformance with Article VI, Railroad Commission, Section 16, Appropriations Act, 2006-2007 Biennium, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005.

Comments on the notice of intent to review all rules in 16 TAC Chapter 7 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 . The Commission encourages all interested persons to submit comments no later than the deadline; the Commission cannot guarantee that comments submitted after the deadline will be considered. For further information, call Jackie Standard at (512) 463-7118. The status of Commission rulemakings in progress is available at www.rrc.state.tx.us/rules/proposed.html.

Issued in Austin, Texas on July 6, 2006.

TRD-200603622

Mary Ross McDonald

Managing Director

Railroad Commission of Texas

Filed: July 6, 2006


The Railroad Commission of Texas files this notice of intent to review and re-adopt all rules in 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 15, relating to Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division, in accordance with Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The Commission's reasons for adopting these rules continue to exist. Through the rules in Chapter 15, the Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division (AFRED) of the Commission administers the Alternative Fuels Research and Education program pursuant to Texas Natural Resources Code, §§113.241, et seq . The rules establish when the obligation to pay a delivery fee is imposed; which persons are responsible for paying the fee; which persons are responsible for reporting, collecting and remitting fees to the commission; and the amount of fees due, based on net volume of odorized LPG imported or delivered into any means of conveyance to be sold and placed into commerce. In addition, through the rules in Chapter 15, AFRED administers for purchasers of eligible LPG appliances and equipment a consumer rebate program that achieves energy conservation and efficiency or improves the quality of air in this state; administers for Texas retail propane dealers a media rebate program that achieves increased public awareness and assists in the marketing of propane as an environmentally beneficial alternative fuel; administers for Texas retail propane and natural gas motor fuel outlets an alternative fuel highway signage rebate program that achieves increased public awareness and convenience in the use of propane and natural gas as motor fuels; and administers a manufactured housing incentive program that increases public awareness and assists in the marketing of propane as an environmentally beneficial alternative fuel.

In a separate rulemaking, the Commission intends to propose an amendment to §15.30, relating to Propane Alternative Fuels Advisory Committee, to extend the sunset date for the committee beyond the current abolishment date of October 31, 2006. This proposed amendment will be filed with the Texas Register at a later date. The purpose of the committee is to give the Commission the benefit of the members' collective business, environmental, and technical expertise and experience to help the Commission increase the use of propane, improve air quality, and develop the economy of this state. The committee's sole duty is to advise the commission. The committee has no executive or administrative powers or duties with respect to the operation of AFRED; all such powers and duties rest solely with the Commission.

Comments on the notice of intent to review all rules in 16 TAC Chapter 15 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 . The Commission encourages all interested persons to submit comments no later than the deadline; the Commission cannot guarantee that comments submitted after the deadline will be considered. For further information, call Dan Kelly at (512) 463-7291. The status of Commission rulemakings in progress is available at www.rrc.state.tx.us/rules/proposed.html.

Issued in Austin, Texas on July 6, 2006.

TRD-200603623

Mary Ross McDonald

Managing Director

Railroad Commission of Texas

Filed: July 6, 2006


Adopted Rule Reviews

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Title 37, Part 6

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice readopts Title 37, Part 6, Chapter 153, Subchapter B, §153.20, concerning Private Real Property Rights Affected by Governmental Action. The proposed rule review was published in the April 7, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3063).

The purpose of the rule is to establish procedures whereby the agency determines if private real property rights are affected by governmental action taken by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

No comments were received regarding the rule review.

The rule is readopted under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007.

TRD-200603690

Melinda H. Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Filed: July 11, 2006


The Texas Board of Criminal Justice readopts Title 37, Part 6, Chapter 195, §§195.71 - 195.78, concerning Testing for Controlled Substances. The proposed rule review was published in the April 7, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3063).

The purpose of the rules are to establish procedures for the controlled substance testing of offenders under parole or mandatory supervision.

No comments were received regarding the review of the rules.

The rules are readopted under Texas Government Code, §508.184.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, §508.221.

TRD-200603691

Melinda H. Bozarth

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Filed: July 11, 2006