The bill, S.B. No. 1302, amends the Water Code of Texas to establish new regulations regarding the eligibility for a general permit to discharge waste into or adjacent to state waters. Specifically, it introduces a new subsection (h-1) to Section 26.040, which stipulates that if the Texas Commission denies or suspends a discharger's authority to discharge under a general permit, the commission cannot authorize that discharger to resume discharging under a general permit until five years have passed from the date of the denial or suspension.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the new regulations will only apply to denials or suspensions that occur on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Any denials or suspensions that occur prior to this date will be governed by the existing laws in effect at that time. This change aims to strengthen the regulatory framework surrounding waste discharge permits and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 26.040 (Water Code 26)