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


Senate Research Center   S.B. 76
76R1939 MI-DBy: Truan
Border Affairs
2/16/1999
As Filed


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 proposed, 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), amending and relettering existing Subsection (h) as Subsection (i),
and relettering existing Subsections (i) and (j) as Subsection (j) and (k),
as follows: 

(h) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to
obtain or to develop an updated water availability model for the Rio Grande
before December 1, 2001. Sets forth requirements for the model. Requires
TNRCC  to collect data from all jurisdictions that allocate the water of
the river, including jurisdictions outside this state.  

(i) Requires TNRCC to notify all holders of any existing type of water
right in the waters of  the Rio Grande river who reside in or have
corporate resident status in this state. 

 (j)-(k) Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.