Bill > HB4028

This bill addresses the regulation of preproduction plastic in Texas by establishing new definitions, monitoring requirements, and reporting standards for facilities that handle plastic materials. It defines preproduction plastic as plastic resin pellets, flakes, fibers, powders, and powdered coloring, and requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to designate these materials as a Class II nonhazardous industrial waste. The bill mandates that facilities operating under multi-sector general permits must conduct monthly monitoring of receiving waters around their sites, checking for preproduction plastic discharges not less than once per month and within eight hours of each rainfall event. Facility owners must also perform monthly audits of major spills, identifying causes, researching solutions, and implementing effective methods to prevent future discharges. In the event of a visible discharge of preproduction plastics, facility operators must notify the TCEQ within 24 hours, providing photographs, GPS location information, an estimate of the amount and location of discharged plastic, and details of cleanup efforts. The bill aims to improve water quality monitoring by explicitly including preproduction plastic pollution in assessments and standards, with an implementation date of September 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4028