HB 464 – New State grant program

HB 464 sets up a state-run grant program aimed at helping counties clean up and prevent the illegal dumping of used tires. It creates a dedicated fund within the state’s General Revenue account to pay for these efforts, including law enforcement, public outreach, and cleanup operations. While well intentioned, it opens the door to new spending without defining clear performance metrics or long-term funding limits. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the fund will be used efficiently or that measurable reductions in illegal dumping will occur. The bill also invites future appropriations and staffing increases at TCEQ, further expanding the size and cost of state government. Finally, this issue is most appropriately handled at the local level, not by a state-grant program with state tax dollars