Bonnen Appointed
Chair of Environmental Regulation, Member of Insurance Committee
State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) was named chairman of the
powerful House Committee on Environmental Regulation by House Speaker Tom
Craddick on Thursday. He was also appointed a member of the Insurance
Committee.
With the appointment as Chairman on Environmental Regulation,
Bonnen is charged with oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality and fully implementing the federally-mandated Texas Clean Air Plan.
"I am honored to have been given this opportunity to be the
lead voice in the Texas House of Representatives on environmental issues,"
Bonnen said. "This will allow me to play a major role in how Brazoria County
is treated under the federal mandates passed down to us from Washington."
The Legislature must fully fund the state implementation plan
this session in order to avoid a federal plan with more stringent
requirements and a loss in highway dollars. Bonnen is confident that the
plan can be funded without further restrictions on the construction industry
or any reduction in speed limits in Brazoria County.
Bonnen served as vice-chairman of the
Environmental Regulation committee last session and was heavily involved
with environmental issues. "I
have been working vigorously on Clean Air for more than two years and am
confident we can fund the Clean Air Plan without a devastating construction
ban, speed limits, or other intrusive regulation."
Bonnen also mentioned that sludge would be a major issue on
his agenda. He is currently working on legislation that would greatly
increase the regulation of Class B sludge.
"It is time for fly-by-night sludge companies to be
eliminated and for legitimate companies to be held accountable," he said. "I
am excited to have the chance to debate this issue before my committee and
am confident legislation will be passed to ensure regulation and enforcement
can be carried out on violators in the biosludge industry."
Bonnen is very pleased with his appointment to the Insurance
Committee.
The primary concern the committee will address is the
skyrocketing costs of homeowners and automobile insurance. Bonnen will now
play an integral role in investigating the several reasons for such cost
hikes.
"I will investigate mold remediation, credit scoring
practices, and frivolous lawsuits and their impact on these outrageous
premium increases to ensure that ever Texan has access to quality affordable
insurance," he explained.
Bonnen said both committees are very critical for the 78th
Session.
"It is an honor to serve on two important committees that
will help me be more efficient in assisting the people of Brazoria County,"
he said.
