RECYCLING MARKET DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM

(a) The commission, the comptroller, and other consenting state agencies as appropriate shall regularly coordinate the recycling activities of state agencies and shall each pursue an economic development strategy that focuses on the state's waste management priorities established by Section 361.022 and that includes development of recycling industries and markets as an integrated component. (b) The commission and the comptroller, on an ongoing basis, shall jointly: (1) identify existing economic and regulatory incentives and disincentives for creating an optimal market development strategy; (2) analyze or take into consideration the market development implications of: (A) the state's waste management policies and regulations; (B) existing and potential markets for plastic, glass, paper, lead-acid batteries, tires, compost, scrap gypsum, coal combustion by-products, and other recyclable materials; and (C) the state's tax structure and overall economic base; (3) examine and make policy recommendations regarding the need for changes in or the development of: (A) economic policies that affect transportation, such as those embodied in freight rate schedules; (B) tax incentives and disincentives; (C) the availability of financial capital including grants, loans, and venture capital; (D) enterprise zones; (E) managerial and technical assistance; (F) job-training programs; (G) strategies for matching market supply and market demand for recyclable materials, including intrastate and interstate coordination; (H) the state recycling goal; (I) public-private partnerships; (J) research and development; (K) government procurement policies; (L) educational programs for the public, corporate and regulated communities, and government entities; and (M) public health and safety regulatory policies; (4) establish a comprehensive statewide strategy to expand markets for recycled products in Texas; (5) provide information and technical assistance to small and disadvantaged businesses, business development centers, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, and nonprofit associations on market opportunities in the area of recycling; and (6) with the cooperation of the Office of State-Federal Relations, assist communities and private entities in identifying state and federal grants pertaining to recycling and solid waste management. (c) In carrying out this section, the commission and the comptroller may obtain research and development and technical assistance from the Hazardous Waste Research Center at Lamar University at Beaumont or other similar institutions. (d) In carrying out this section, the commission and the comptroller shall utilize the pollution prevention advisory committee as set out in Section 361.0215 of the Health and Safety Code.