Concrete Plant Pollution Gets A Task Force And A 2026 Report

The text as introduced · 508 words

89R435 DRS-D

By: Miles
S.B. No. 492

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Task Force on Concrete Plants.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) The Task Force on Concrete Plants is

established.

(b) The task force shall consult with experts on and study

the effects of air and noise pollution caused by concrete batch and

crushing plants in this state. After completing the study, the task

force shall:

(1) develop recommendations for legislation to:

(A) reduce air and noise pollution caused by

concrete batch and crushing plants;

(B) improve the processes for issuing permits for

and inspecting concrete batch and crushing plants; and

(C) improve enforcement of statutes and rules

that apply to concrete batch and crushing plants; and

(2) identify best practices to reduce air and noise

pollution caused by concrete batch and crushing plants.

(c) The task force is composed of the following members:

(1) two members of the house of representatives

appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) two members of the senate appointed by the

lieutenant governor;

(3) the executive director of the Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality or the executive director's designee; and

(4) seven members appointed by the governor as

follows:

(A) one member to represent concrete batch and

crushing plant operators;

(B) one member to represent an institution of

higher education in the state who must have published research

regarding environmental pollutants;

(C) one member who is a toxicologist certified by

the American Board of Toxicology or an equivalent entity;

(D) one member who is a professional with

experience in geographic information systems; and

(E) three members to represent community

organizations who each reside not more than five miles from a

concrete batch or crushing plant.

(d) The governor shall designate one member of the task

force to serve as the presiding officer.

(e) A member of the task force is not entitled to

compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the member's

travel expenses as provided by Chapter 660, Government Code, and

the General Appropriations Act.

(f) Not later than December 1, 2026, the task force shall:

(1) compile a report of its findings and

recommendations; and

(2) submit the report to the governor, the lieutenant

governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the

task force.

(h) The task force is abolished and this Act expires on

January 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker

of the house of representatives shall appoint members to the Task

Force on Concrete Plants as required by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.