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House Bill 1808 |
House Author: Cook |
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Effective: 9-1-11 |
Senate Sponsor: Nichols |
House Bill 1808 amends the Agriculture Code to continue the State Soil and Water Conservation Board until September 1, 2023. In addition to adding and revising statutes that reflect across-the-board sunset provisions, the bill requires the state board to take certain administrative actions relating to its competitive grant programs.
House Bill 1808 redesignates the state board's Texas Brush Control Program as the water supply enhancement program and specifies that the program's purpose is to increase available surface water and groundwater through controlling, removing, or reducing noxious brush species that are detrimental to water conservation and then revegetating that land. The bill requires the state board to define specific goals for the program, develop criteria for accepting proposals for water supply enhancement projects, and establish criteria for prioritizing projects for each funding cycle. For projects using certain water yield models, the state board must establish a process for assisting persons submitting project proposals by locating a person with appropriate credentials to conduct a feasibility study for the project. The bill provides for cost-sharing contracts as part of the water supply enhancement program and requires the state board to consult with each successful applicant for such a contract to create a 10-year water supply enhancement plan for the land that is subject to the contract. The bill requires the Sunset Advisory Commission to conduct a special-purpose review of the state board as part of the commission's review of state agencies for the 84th Legislature.
House Bill 1808 amends the Government Code to authorize the state board to accept and administer loans, grants, gifts, or other funds to carry out its functions as administrator of the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee.