House Bill No. 5151 introduces new regulations regarding the issuance of air quality permits for facilities that produce or crush aggregates. Specifically, it adds Section 382.070 to the Health and Safety Code, which outlines restrictions on permitting for such facilities located within certain proximity to environmentally sensitive areas. These areas include locations within four miles of lakes owned or operated by river authorities that support national fish hatcheries, state parks with designated natural landmarks, and youth camps established in 1975 and licensed by the Department of State Health Services.

Under this new section, the Texas Commission is prohibited from issuing permits or permit amendments for the specified facilities, ensuring that environmental protections are upheld in these sensitive regions. However, the bill includes a provision that exempts facilities operating under permits issued or standard permits authorized before January 1, 2025, from these new restrictions. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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