HBA-NMO H.B. 1900 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1900 By: Lewis, Ron Natural Resources 4/16/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law authorizes the Texas Water Development Board (board) to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for projects that supply water and wastewater services in economically distressed areas. However, the board has received numerous requests for grants to implement agricultural water conservation, weather modification, and brush control projects. H.B. 1900 authorizes the board to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for projects that include agricultural water conservation, weather modification, or brush control, in addition to the provision of, rather than supplying, water and wastewater services in economically distressed areas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 15.102(b), Water Code, to authorize the Texas Water Development Board (board) to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for projects that include agricultural water conservation, weather modification, or brush control, in addition to the provision of, rather than supplying, water and wastewater services in economically distressed areas. Makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.