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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 76
By: Truan
Border Affairs
3/5/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


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
C.S.S.B. 76 requires  TNRCC to  develop a water availability model for the
Rio Grande. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.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 31, 2003. Requires the model to encompass water rights
granted by jurisdictions outside this state 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. 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 16.012, Water Code, to requires the model to encompass water
rights granted by jurisdictions outside this state 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. Deletes provisions requiring TNRCC to obtain or develop an
updated water availability model for the Rio Grande not later than December
1, 2001. Deletes a provision recognizing the Rio Grande as an international
river touching on eight states and 19 tribes and pueblos.