SRC-ARR S.B. 897 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 897 76R3906 SMJ-DBy: Brown Natural Resources 3/22/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law authorizes the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to loan funds for brush control and weather modification projects. However, this authority is limited to certain applicants including soil and water conservation districts and the authorities and districts which operate under Article III, Section 52(b) (1) and (2), or Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution. The current statute does not allow these loans to be provided to cities. S.B. 897 would authorize the TWDB to provide loans through the Agricultural Water Conservation Bond Program for brush control and precipitation enhancement activities to all political subdivisions of the state. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 897 authorizes the TWDB to provide loans through the Agricultural Water Conservation Bond Program for brush control and precipitation enhancement activities to all political subdivisions of the state. 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 Sections 17.871(2) and (6), Water Code, to redefine "borrower district" and "lender district." SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 17J, Water Code, by amending Section 17.895 and adding Section 17.8955, as follows: Sec. 17.895. CONSERVATION LOANS. Provides that this section applies only to certain conservation loans. Authorizes the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) or a lender district, rather than districts, to make conservation loans for capital equipment or materials, labor, preparation costs, and installation costs. Deletes text regarding certain capital equipment or materials, labor, preparation costs, and installation costs. Makes conforming changes. Sec. 17.8955 CONSERVATION LOANS FOR BRUSH CONTROL AND PRECIPITATION ENHANCEMENT. Authorizes the TWDB or a lender district to make a conservation loan for certain capital equipment or materials, labor, preparation costs, and installation costs. Authorizes a conservation loan for a purpose listed in Subsection (a) to be made by a lender district to an individual borrower for use on private property or by the board to a borrower district. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.