H.B. No. 1726 amends Section 382.058(c) of the Health and Safety Code to specify who may request a public hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding the construction of a concrete plant. The bill allows a representative of a school, place of worship, licensed day-care center, hospital, or medical facility, as well as individuals residing within 880 yards of the proposed plant, to request a hearing. The previous requirement of being a resident of a permanent residence within 440 yards has been deleted. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission adopt rules to define who qualifies as a representative of the specified entities.

The changes made by this Act will only apply to hearings for permit applications filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on or after the effective date of the new rules. Any hearings related to applications submitted before this date will continue to be governed by the previous law. The Act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 382.058 (Health and Safety Code 382)