BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2460

By: King, Tracy O.

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A water availability model is a computer-based simulation predicting the amount of water in a river or stream under certain conditions. Such models for all major river basins in Texas were created in the late 1990s and are used to inform the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's determination of whether surface water is available for a newly requested water right or amendment. In 2019, the legislature required the water availability models for the Brazos, Neches, Red River, and Rio Grande River basins to be updated. H.B. 2460 seeks to provide for updated water availability models for the Guadalupe, Lavaca, Nueces, San Antonio, San Jacinto, and Trinity River basins.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2460 amends the Water Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), not later than December 1, 2026, to obtain or develop updated water availability models for the Guadalupe, Lavaca, Nueces, San Antonio, San Jacinto, and Trinity River basins. The bill authorizes the TCEQ to collect data from all jurisdictions that allocate the waters of the rivers, including jurisdictions outside of Texas. Implementation of a provision of this bill by the TCEQ is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose, and the bill's provisions expire September 1, 2027.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.