Bill > HB3872

This bill adds a new section to the Texas Health and Safety Code that requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to reevaluate the state's ambient air quality standard for benzene when monitoring or modeling data suggests an area is exceeding or likely to exceed either national or state air quality standards for this chemical. Benzene is a volatile organic compound known to be a carcinogenic air pollutant, typically released from industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and petroleum products. The bill mandates that when such data is identified, the commission must promptly reassess the current benzene air quality standard and update relevant exposure guidelines to protect public health. The new law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving the TCEQ time to prepare for implementation. This legislative action aims to ensure more responsive and proactive air quality management, particularly in areas with potential benzene contamination.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3872