Source: https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/October182019/Proposed%20Rules/31.NATURAL%20RESOURCES%20AND%20CONSERVATION.html
Timestamp: 2020-03-31 17:31:35
Document Index: 338704876

Matched Legal Cases: ['§354', '§354', '§354', '§16', '§16', '§354', '§16', '§2001', '§2001', '§2001', '§2001', '§6', '§2001', '§2001', '§6', '§6', '§2001', '§2007', '§2001', '§6', '§16', '§6', '§16']

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) proposes new 31 TAC §354.16 and 31 TAC §354.17 to incorporate into rule two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the TWDB.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE FACTUAL BASIS FOR THE PROPOSED RULE.
§354.16. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the TWDB related to the Federal Public Assistance Grant Program.
The MOU implements the statutory requirements of Texas Water Code §16.454, related to the Federal Public Assistance Grant Program, and requires that TDEM administer the funds in accordance with all applicable federal programs and regulations.
The MOU also requires TDEM to provide regular reports that will enable the TWDB to meet the transparency requirements of Texas Water Code §16.459.
§354.17. Memorandum of Understanding Between the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the TWDB related to the Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The MOU implements the statutory requirements of Texas Water Code §16.454, related to the Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and requires that TDEM administer the funds in accordance with all applicable federal programs and regulations.
Ms. Rebecca Trevino, Chief Financial Officer, has determined that there will be positive fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of the proposed rulemaking. For the first five years these rules are in effect, there is no expected additional cost to state or local governments resulting from their administration.
These rules are expected to result in reductions in costs to either state or local governments, as they will provide funds to local governments. There is no increase in costs because there are no direct costs associated with the proposed rules. These rules are expected to have a positive impact on state or local revenues as funds will be made available as a local match to federal programs. The rules will not require any increase in expenditures for state or local governments as a result of administering these rules. Additionally, there are foreseeable implications relating to state or local governments' increase in funding resulting from these rules.
Because these rules will not impose a cost on regulated persons, the requirement included in Texas Government Code §2001.0045 to repeal a rule does not apply. Furthermore, the requirement in §2001.0045 does not apply because these rules are necessary to implement legislation.
Ms. Rebecca Trevino also has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed rulemaking is in effect, the public will benefit from the rulemaking as it will provide funding for local governments.
The board has determined that a local employment impact statement is not required because the proposed rules do not adversely affect a local economy in a material way for the first five years that the proposed rules are in effect because they will impose no new requirements on local economies. The board also has determined that there will be no adverse economic effect on small businesses, micro-businesses, or rural communities as a result of enforcing this rulemaking. The board also has determined that there is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rulemaking as proposed. Therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis is necessary.
The board reviewed the proposed rulemaking in light of the regulatory analysis requirements of Texas Government Code §2001.0225, and determined that the rulemaking is not subject to Texas Government Code, §2001.0225, because it does not meet the definition of a "major environmental rule" as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act. A "major environmental rule" is defined as a rule with the specific intent to protect the environment or reduce risks to human health from environmental exposure, a rule that may adversely affect in a material way the economy or a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, or the public health and safety of the state or a sector of the state. The intent of the rulemaking is to adopt by rule the MOUs as required by Texas Water Code §6.104.
Even if the proposed rules were major environmental rules, Texas Government Code, §2001.0225 still would not apply to this rulemaking because Texas Government Code, §2001.0225 only applies to a major environmental rule, the result of which is to: (1) exceed a standard set by federal law, unless the rule is specifically required by state law; (2) exceed an express requirement of state law, unless the rule is specifically required by federal law; (3) exceed a requirement of a delegation agreement or contract between the state and an agency or representative of the federal government to implement a state and federal program; or (4) adopt a rule solely under the general powers of the agency instead of under a specific state law. This rulemaking does not meet any of these four applicability criteria because it: (1) does not exceed any standard set by federal law; (2) does not exceed an express requirement of state law; (3) does not exceed a requirement of a delegation agreement or contract between the state and an agency or representative of the federal government to implement a state and federal program; and (4) is not proposed solely under the general powers of the agency, but rather but rather is also proposed under authority of Texas Water Code §6.101 and §6.104. Therefore, these proposed rules do not fall under any of the applicability criteria in Texas Government Code, §2001.0225.
The board evaluated these proposed rules and performed an analysis of whether they constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007. The specific purpose of these rules is to adopt by rule the MOUs between the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The board's analysis indicates that Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007 does not apply to this proposed rulemaking because this is an action that is reasonably taken to fulfill an obligation mandated by state law, which is exempt under Texas Government Code, §2007.003(b)(4).
Nevertheless, the board further evaluated these proposed rules and performed an assessment of whether they constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007. Promulgation and enforcement of these proposed rules would be neither a statutory nor a constitutional taking of private real property. Specifically, the subject proposed regulation does not affect a landowner's rights in private real property because this rulemaking does not burden nor restrict or limit the owner's right to property and reduce its value by 25% or more beyond that which would otherwise exist in the absence of the regulation. Therefore, the proposed rules do not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007.
The board reviewed the proposed rulemaking in light of the government growth impact statement requirements of Texas Government Code §2001.0221 and has determined, for the first five years the proposed rules would be in effect, the proposed rules will not: (1) create or eliminate a government program; (2) require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions; (3) require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency; (4) require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency; (5) create a new regulation; (6) expand, limit, or repeal an existing regulation; or (7) increase or decrease the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability. However, the proposed rules will positively affect the state's economy. These rules are expected to have a positive impact on state or local revenues as funds will be made available as a local match to federal programs. The funds will enable local governments to access federal funds and make improvements in their jurisdictions in accordance with the federal programs.
Written comments on the proposed rulemaking may be submitted by mail to Office of General Counsel, Texas Water Development Board, P.O. Box 13231, Austin, Texas 78711-3231, by email to rulescomments@twdb.texas.gov, or by fax to (512) 475-2053. COMMENTS MUST INCLUDE REFERENCE TO CHAPTER 364 IN THE SUBJECT LINE. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the 31st day following publication in the Texas Register.
This rulemaking is proposed under the authority of the Texas Water Code §6.104 and §16.454, which require the TWDB to adopt by rule any memorandum of understanding between the TWDB and any other state agency.
Cross reference to statute: Texas Water Code §6.104, §16.454.
(i) Now Therefore, in consideration of the benefits to the State of Texas, the parties hereby agree as follows:
(j) Now Therefore, in consideration of the benefits to the State of Texas, the parties hereby agree as follows:
(-f-) a list of each political subdivision served by each project;
TRD-201903588