My name is Luke Metzger and I am the Executive Director of Environment Texas, and I am here in support of HB3035. The problem we hope to address today goes back decades.
In 2003, the State Auditor found that TCEQ’s enforcement policy “does not consistently ensure violators are held accountable”. After looking into 80 cases and finding an economic benefit of $8.6 million, it was discovered that fines totaled to only $1.6 million, or 19% of the economic benefit. More https://environmenttexas.org/blogs/blog/txe/testimony-hb-3035-make-sure-polluters-dont-profit-after-being-penalized