SRC-DPW H.B. 1437 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1437
By: Krusee (Ogden)
Natural Resources
4/27/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has the authority to
provide water services in Williamson County.  It is reported that future
water supplies have become an increasingly critical concern as Williamson
County continues to experience population growth. This bill would allow the
Brazos River Authority to enter into an interbasin transfer agreement with
the LCRA, and revenues generated from that agreement would be used to
finance groundwater development in the downstream irrigation-dependent
counties. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1437 allows the Brazos River Authority to enter into an
interbasin transfer agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority, and
provides that revenues generated from that agreement would be used to
finance groundwater development in the downstream irrigation-dependent
counties. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 8280-107, V.T.C.S., to authorize a district to
transfer surface water from the district to a place in Williamson County
that is outside the watershed of the Colorado River only if the transfer is
made to a municipality that was a district water customer on May 20, 1997,
rather than the effective date of this section, or to a person or entity
that pays for the surface water in an amount sufficient to pay both the
districts' applicable water rate and an additional charge to mitigate any
adverse effects of the transfer of surface water to Williamson County from
the Colorado River watershed, and provided such transfer results in no net
loss of water to the Colorado River watershed, as determined by the
district's board of directors, provided that the district's board of
directors determines that such transfer will not result in a net loss of
water to the Colorado River.  Requires the district to determine the amount
of the additional charge under Subsection (a)(3)(b) of this section.
Prohibits the additional charge from being less than 10 percent of the
district's applicable rate for surface water to be transferred.  Requires
the district to deposit any money the district receives from the additional
charge, and authorizes the district to deposit any other money as the board
of directors determines, into a separate fund designated as the
agricultural water conservation fund.  Authorizes the district to use money
from the agricultural water conservation fund only for the development of
water resources or other water use strategies to replace or offset the
amount of surface water to be transferred to Williamson County.  Provides
that the board of directors' determination of the additional charge is not
subject to review or modification by any regulatory agency or authority.
Authorizes water resources developed or conserved through the additional
charge to be acquired from any source, in or outside the boundaries of the
district, and  used to benefit the water service area of the district's
irrigation operations.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
Effective date: upon passage.