Proposed legislation aimed at improving oversight on the issuance of wastewater discharge permits made its way through the Texas House of Representatives.
House Bill (HB) 4116, authored by State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood), was approved May 2 by an 82-57 vote. The bill is the first authored by Zwiener to be approved by the Texas House. State Senator Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) is expected to pick up the bill in the senate.
HB 4116, if approved, would allow an applicant seeking a Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to voluntarily negotiate an agreement upfront with interest groups in order to avoid a contested case, according to a press release.
HB 4116 would allow a applicant seeking a Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to voluntarily negotiate an agreement upfront with interest groups in order to avoid a contested case.
That agreement would include more limitations than a permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and would be backed up with bonding, a letter of credit or an escrow account.
Zwiener said in a statement the bill would establish a “new way forward in the discharge permitting process.” Zwiener said the legislation is “commonsense” and would help cities and communities avoid “bureaucratic headaches,” as well as encourage more beneficial reuse.
“We’re seeking to create an avenue for upfront, voluntary negotiation between applicants and interest groups,” Zwiener said. “In passing this bill, we will help provide a model for future collaborative efforts around environmental permitting.”
Meanwhile, a bill meant to increase access to proper patient care and pain treatment is now on the House committee floor.
HB 4145, authored by Zwiener, would prevent medical practitioners from refusing treatment or denying a controlled substance prescription to a patient who tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidol in their system.
The bill was introduced just as state legislators in the Texas House passed House Bill 63, authored by State Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso), which would reduce personal-use marijuana penalties.
In addition, the Texas House also approved House Bill 1365, authored by State Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D-Brownsville), that would authorize medical cannabis use for patients with certain conditions.
Zwiener said many patients, including veterans and those with chronic pain, use marijuana to alleviate pain, nausea or anxiety. She felt that use of marijuana in that way “should not be grounds to discharge that person.”
“Unfortunately, many physicians use urinary drug testing to discharge patients when they discover they have used marijuana recently. We have a chance here to protect access to care for patients, especially those with chronic pain and anxiety,” Zwiener said.
Zwiener said legislators are making “substantial progress” on access to medical marijuana and marijuana decriminalization.
“I am hopeful this season we can provide patients in Texas with another tool to relieve pain and improve their quality of life,” Zwiener said.
