S.B. No. 2037 amends the Water Code and the Health and Safety Code to establish new procedures for the review of permit applications related to the construction or modification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. A new subsection (a-1) is added to Section 5.555, requiring the executive director to respond to permit applications within 120 days after the public comment period closes. Additionally, Section 5.559 is introduced, mandating the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to create an expedited review process for these applications, which will require applicants to pay an additional fee to cover the costs of the expedited service. The commission is also authorized to utilize overtime and contract labor to facilitate this expedited processing.

Furthermore, the bill modifies Section 382.056 of the Health and Safety Code, replacing the term "public hearing" with "contested case hearing" in the context of reconsideration requests. It also stipulates that the requirements of the new Section 5.559 will apply to LNG export terminal permit applications filed under Section 382.0518. The changes in law will only apply to applications submitted on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Applications pending at that time will continue to be governed by the previous law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
Senate Committee Report: Water Code 5.555, Health and Safety Code 382.056 (Water Code 5, Health and Safety Code 382)
Engrossed: Water Code 5.555, Health and Safety Code 382.056 (Water Code 5, Health and Safety Code 382)
House Committee Report: Water Code 5.555, Health and Safety Code 382.056 (Water Code 5, Health and Safety Code 382)
Enrolled: Water Code 5.555, Health and Safety Code 382.056 (Water Code 5, Health and Safety Code 382)