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Establishing the Governor's Task Force on Hazardous Waste Managenient.
WHEREAS, the protection of public health and safety and the enhancement of environmental quality
are basic responsibilities of state and local governments in Texas;
WHEREAS, the production add use of chemicals and other products in Texas constitute a substantial
economic factor for the state, and this production generates hazardous waste byproducts which must be
properly managed;
WHEREAS, the quality of life in Texas is dependent upon the convenience afforded by the production
and use of chemicals;
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States is currently considering legislation which. likely-would broaden 7
the responsibilities of states under the Resou.rce Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive
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Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, yet decrease financial resources to the states
for administration;
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WHEREAS, a viable and efficient hazardous waste program serves as inducement for new industrial capacity, as well as for tlie maintenance of jobs of current Texas industries;
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NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark White, governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me, do hereby
create and establish the Governor's Task Force on.Hazardous Waste Management, hereinafter referred
to as the "task force."
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The task force will consist of representatives of major affected groups or interests, who shall be appointed
by the governor and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The governor shall designate a chair and
vice-chair from the membership who shall serve in those positions at t h e pleasure of,the governor.
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The task force ischarged with the followina res~onsibilities:
(a) to examine policy alternatives for public and private sector roles in hazardous waste management
in Texas, focusing specifically on the issues of siting, financial responsibility, waste reduction and management strategies, and enforcement;.
(b) to develop recommendation" for an integrated comprehensive hazardous waste management policy to include possible legislation, agency actions, and/or industry initiatives, for presentation to the gover. .
nor on or about September 1, 1984; and
(c) to develop strategies by whith these recommendations can be implemented successfully.
The task force shall meet regularly at the call of the chair. A majority'of the membership shall constitute
a quorum. The chair shall, in consultation with the Office of the Governor, establish the agenda for the
task force meetings.
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The task force shall coordinate and work,closely with the 68th Texas Legislature's Joint Committee on
Hazardous Waste Disposal.
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Members of the task force shall serve without compensation. Expenses of task force members will normally
be expected to be paid by the firm or organization represented by each pember. However, citizen members o r members of nonprofit groups may be reimbursed for actual travel expenses in accordance with
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the prevailing state travel allowance.
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Staff will be provided by the governor's office arid the Texas Department of Water Resources, with technical assistance from the Texas Air Control Board, the Texas Department of Health, the Railroad C o m m i s ~ti ~
sion of Texas, and the Texas Department of Agriculture.
This executive order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until modified,
amended, or rescinded by me.
Issuedin Austin, Texas, on February 29, 1984.
Mark- white>$
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9 TexReg
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1512
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March 16, 1984