At No. 8 on the Androvett Legal Media Top 10 list of new Texas laws is HB451, creating a “Don’t Mess With Texas Water” program. Come September 1, motorists will begin seeing signage at major highway water crossings with a toll-free hotline to report illegal dumping.

Backers of this law point to illegal dumping as a major environmental and public health issue that can significantly impact Texas lakes and rivers. The nature of illegal dumping -- often under the cover of darkness or out in rural areas -- makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to combat this crime. According to a recent report by the Texas Legislative Study Group on the State of Our State, Texas ranks first in the amount of toxic materials released into the water.

“The goal here is fiscal efficiency,” says Houston lawyer Todd Mensing of Ahmad Zavitsanos & Anaipakos, who represents Harris County in pollution cases. “These are lean budgetary times. This is a low-cost, but potentially highly effective deterrent for illegal dumping, which is a growing public health concern in this state.”