House Bill No. 160, introduced by Oliverson, seeks to prohibit the application of biosolids to agricultural land in Texas. The bill amends Section 361.121 of the Health and Safety Code to specify that the land application of certain sludge is restricted to non-agricultural purposes, including maintaining public parks, golf courses, and athletic fields. The definition of "land application unit" is also updated to reflect this change. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 361.1211, which explicitly defines agricultural land and biosolids, and states that no person may apply biosolids onto agricultural land or incorporate them into the soil of such land.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any existing permits or authorizations allowing the application of biosolids to agricultural land will expire upon the bill's effective date. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is tasked with ensuring compliance with the new regulations, which include reporting requirements for permit holders. The bill is set to take effect 91 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 361.121 (Health and Safety Code 361)