Great news! Yesterday, two of ACT’s high priotity bills made it to second reading in the House. (Given the fact the House made it through 7 pages of a 24-page calendar, this truly is great news.) HB 821, Rep Leibowitz’s producer takeback television recycling bill, passed to engrossment. This bill addresses ACT’s top priority for electronic waste recycling this year. We’ve posted the press release from Robin Schneider of the Texas Campaign for the Environment (and ACT e-waste team leader) with details about the bill.

HB 280 also came up for second reading, but Rep. Anchia requested that it be postponed until 9:00 today, when it can be considered at the same time as SB 546, Sen. Fraser’s energy efficiency goal legislation.

Several other bills that address ACT legislative recommendations were on yesterday’s calendar, but most of them were not heard and move on to today’s calendar. The exception was HB 2783; Rep. Anchia’s energy efficiency standards for building codes bill (which is the House companion to a section of SB 16), passed to third reading.

Here are the bills ACT will track today:

Energy Efficiency:

Renewable Energy:

Clean Air:

Great news! HB 821, Representative Leibowitz’s bill that would expand the 2007 computer takeback recycling law to include televisions, is scheduled to be on the House floor today. Please call your representative today to voice your strong support for this bill. With the digital switch on June 12th, establishing a producer takeback program for television recycling is more important than ever.

HB 821 is the top bill on ACT’s 2009 Electronic Waste Recycling legislative agenda. For additional information about producer TV takeback programs, please visit ACT member organization Texas Campaign for the Environment.

Thanks for all you do to make Texas a cleaner, healthier place to live.