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.