- The Wise Report
- Henry M. Wise, P.G
- April 30, 2011
On 4/21/2011, John
Mikels, with Geos Consulting, attended a House Government Efficiency and Reform
Committee (Callegari chair) meeting, for a public hearing on HB-3166. Mike Hess
and Charles Horton of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) were
also there. This bill abolishes/consolidates several state agencies. The TBPG
is still not amongst the targets, at this time. There was a rumor of a committee
substitute being introduced during this meeting, and there was a concern that
the TBPG would be added to target list. Fortunately we weren't, the substitute
was nixed, and original HB-3166 was left standing in committee. HB-3166 is
primarily the ongoing consolidation squabble between engineers, architects, and
surveyors. Nothing else of substance which might impact TBPG has been detected
since. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I've been compiling a list of
proposed bills that may be of interest to geologists. If you have any that I
have missed, let me know and I'll include them. Filing of proposed bills has begun
and here's the ones I'm currently watching. All new items or updates are in
bold: HB-377, by McClendon, Relating to
the expenditure of money from the general revenue fund for rail projects. 4/26/2011
– Referred to Transportation & Homeland Security. For more information
go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB377 HB-444, by Creighton, Relating to
notification of applications for permits for certain injection wells. "If
an application is received in proper form for a permit for an injection well to
dispose of industrial and municipal waste
and the proposed location of the injection well is in the territory of a groundwater conservation district, the executive
director shall submit a copy of the application to the governing body of the
groundwater conservation district. The groundwater conservation district may
make recommendations to the commission concerning any aspect of the application..."
Scheduled for public hearing on 5/3/2011. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB444
HB-977, by Burnham, Relating to the
development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. 4/29/2011 -
Committee report sent to calendars. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB977
HB-1164, by Keffer, Relating to
enforcement actions by the Texas Board of
Professional Engineers against political subdivisions and certain public
officials. The PE Board may not impose an administrative penalty for a
violation on a political subdivision, or public official or employee of the
state or of a political subdivision of the state who is not licensed under this
chapter. Geologists aren't mentioned in this piece of legislation, but could
eventually be. 4/27/2011 - Committee report sent to calendars. For more
information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB1164