HB 302 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish legally enforceable limits for hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the air. It sets a 0.04 parts per million (ppm) maximum for areas used for homes, recreation, business, or shopping, and 0.06 ppm for agricultural or other non-residential areas. The TCEQ must review health studies every five years and adopt these rules by December 1, 2026. This directly affects communities near industrial sources of H₂S emissions, such as oil and gas facilities, by creating specific, measurable air quality standards.
HB 317 establishes the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council to study how climate change affects Texas residents' health, safety, and economy. The council, composed of legislative appointees and public members with expertise in climatology, the state economy, land management, and tourism, will assess climate impacts, estimate costs, research solutions for flooding and wildfires, and recommend policies. It must hold public hearings statewide and submit a final report to the legislature by January 1, 2027. The council expires on September 1, 2027, making this a time-limited study with no immediate policy changes. The bill directly affects all Texas residents by directing the council to evaluate climate risks specific to the state.
SB 14 requires local governments in Texas to offer credits against water and wastewater impact fees for builders and developers who construct eligible water conservation or reuse projects. These credits apply to facilities that reduce water use, decrease wastewater treatment needs, lower stormwater demands, or exceed standard efficiency requirements. Local governments must establish fair procedures to calculate and approve these credits. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly benefiting developers who invest in qualifying water-saving infrastructure.
