SRC-ARR S.B. 76 76(R)                                            BILL
ANALYSIS 


Senate Research CenterS.B. 76
By: Truan
Border Affairs
8/9/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law provides general direction for the Texas Natural
Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to develop water availability
models for the state's river basins.  A water availability model accounts
for all existing water rights, uses, and demands on a river to determine
how much water is available and under what conditions it is available.
TNRCC has no plans to develop a water availability model for the Rio Grande
S.B. 76 requires  TNRCC to  develop a water availability model for the Rio
Grande. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 76 requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission to develop a water availability model for the Rio Grande.   

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 Section 16.012, Water Code, by adding a new Subsection
(h), and redesignating existing Subsections (h), (i), and (j) as
Subsections (i), (j), and (k), as follows: 

(h) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to
obtain or to develop an updated water supply model for the Rio Grande
before December 31, 2003. Requires the model to encompass to the extent
practicable  the significant water demands within the watershed of the
river as well as the unique geology and hydrology of the region,
recognizing that the Rio Grande is an international river touching on three
states of the United States and five states of the United Mexican States
and draining an area larger than the State of Texas. Authorizes TNRCC  to
collect data from all jurisdictions that allocate the water of the river,
including jurisdictions outside this state. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Provides that the implementation of Subsection (h), Section
16.012, Water Code, as added by this Act, is contingent on the
appropriation by the 77th Legislature of funds for the purpose of that
subsection. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.