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.