(a) In this section:
(1) “Bonds” means financial obligations issued by a local government, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and certificates of obligation.
(2) “Local government” includes:
(A) a local government corporation created under Chapter 431, Transportation Code, to act on behalf of a local government; and
(B) a conservation and reclamation district created under § 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
(b) Notwithstanding any requirement of the commission for the demonstration of financial assurance, a local government that owns or operates a municipal solid waste landfill facility regulated by this chapter is considered to have satisfied all requirements of the commission for the demonstration of financial assurance in relation to closure, post closure, or corrective action, if the local government:
(1) establishes and passes a financial test in accordance with commission rules; and
(2) demonstrates that the outstanding bonds of the local government that are not secured by insurance, a letter of credit, or any other collateral or guarantee have a current rating of AAA, AA, A, or BBB as determined by Standard and Poor’s or Aaa, Aa, A, or Baa as determined by Moody’s.

Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 361.0855

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.

(c) A local government must demonstrate financial assurance under this section:
(1) before the date of the initial receipt of waste at the facility; or
(2) as soon as practicable if, on the effective date of this section, the facility was in operation and had received waste.