Bill > SB729

This bill establishes a new standard permit process for rock crushing facilities in Texas, specifically for facilities located at aggregate production operations that process up to 1,500 tons of rock per hour. The bill requires these facilities to implement several important monitoring and management practices, including installing equipment to monitor water quality, seismicity, and air emissions, maintaining monitoring records for two years, and establishing emergency notification plans for nearby property owners and school districts. Facilities must also implement best management practices for water conservation, dust minimization, equipment maintenance, and site cleanliness. Additionally, operators must submit a post-extraction land use plan detailing equipment removal, revegetation strategies, land use options, and slope standards. The bill creates a new process for permit authorization that includes public notice requirements, a mandatory public hearing, and the establishment of a citizen advisory committee to serve as a liaison between the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, permit applicants, and neighboring communities. The bill aims to provide a streamlined permitting process for rock crushing facilities while ensuring environmental monitoring, community engagement, and responsible land use after extraction activities are complete.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB729