SRC-JJJ H.B. 2447 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2447
By: Counts (Duncan)
Natural Resources
5/14/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The Colorado River Municipal Water District (district) currently provides
water to over 340,000 people in West Texas. The district has 25 pump
stations which require electricity in 14 counties. A retail electric
customer, with its services provided by four separate electric utilities,
the district spent approximately $6.2 million on electric services in 1998.
H.B. 2447 authorizes the district to develop, generate, transmit, or
distribute water power and electric energy inside the district's boundaries
for its own use; purchase electric energy from any available source for use
at a district facility; and acquire and dispose of facilities for those
purposes. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2447 establishes the authority of the Colorado River
Municipal Water District to generate, purchase, and sell water power and
electric energy and to acquire and dispose of facilities for those
purposes. 

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 Chapter 340, Article 8280-137, V.T.C.S., by adding
Subsection 7B, as follows:  

Sec. 7B.  Establishes provisions regarding the authority of  Colorado River
Municipal Water District with respect to the generation, purchasing, and
selling of water power and electric energy.  Provides that this section
does not affect the applicability of Title 2, Utilities Code, to the
district or to actions of the district.  

SECTION 2. Effective date: January 1, 2002.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.