HBA-NMO H.B. 2660 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2660
By: Swinford
Natural Resources
3/14/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law provides for a state drought response plan coordinated by the
division of emergency management of the office of the governor.  While this
plan focuses on drought crisis management, the number and severity of
droughts in recent years may warrant the development of a plan that focuses
on risk management.  H.B. 2660 amends the drought response plan to specify
a state drought manager and make other organizational and procedural
changes.  This bill also establishes a state drought preparedness plan and
provides conservation loans for drought-related activities.  

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 16.055, Water Code, to specify that the
coordinator of the division of emergency management of the office of the
governor is the state drought manager (manager), responsible for managing
and coordinating the drought planning and response component of the state
water plan.  Requires the drought preparedness council (council), rather
than the drought response and monitoring committee, to carry out the
provisions of this section.  Adds to the composition of the council a
representative of the Texas Forest Service, a representative from the Texas
Department of Transportation, and a representative of the Texas Department
of Economic Development. Requires the governor to designate to the council
a representative from at least one statewide organization representing
agriculture interests, and representatives from other parties or groups
affected by the drought as the governor considers appropriate.  Requires
the manager to serve as chair of the council.  Adds to the responsibilities
of the council reporting to the legislature, not later than January 15 of
each odd-numbered year, regarding significant drought conditions in the
state. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 16, Water Code, by adding Section
16.0551, as follows: 

Sec. 16.0551.  STATE DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS PLAN.  (a) Requires the manager
to develop and implement a comprehensive state drought preparedness plan
(plan) for mitigating the effects of drought in this state and periodically
update the plan. 

(b) Requires that the plan propose long-term solutions and specific,
detailed action plans for drought response activities.  Sets forth the
required primary components of monitoring, assessment of impact, and
response. 

(c) Requires the plan to recognize the importance of local and regional
drought planning and assess the vulnerability of specific groups and
regions to drought. 

(d) Requires the manager to use existing resources to develop an
information and communications network to forecast and inform interested
parties and the public of the potential for drought.  

 SECTION 3.  Amends Sections 17.895(a) and (b), Water Code, to authorize
the Texas Water Development Board (board) or lender districts to make
conservation loans for capital equipment or materials, labor, preparation
costs, and installation costs for drought related activities in response to
extreme drought conditions, as part of a program under the plan developed
under Section 16.0551, Water Code, in addition to other purposes.
Authorizes conservation loans for the specific aforementioned purpose to be
made by the board to individual borrowers for use on private property. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.