SRC-PNG S.B. 898 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 898
76R8139 SMJ-DBy: Brown
Natural Resources
3/22/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, under Texas law, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is
authorized to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for
projects that supply water and wastewater services in economically
distressed areas.  However, TWDB has received numerous requests for grants
to implement agricultural water conservation, weather modification, and
brush control projects. This bill would authorize the use of the water loan
assistance fund to provide grants for  agricultural water conservation
projects, weather modification projects, or brush control projects, if the
legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 898 authorizes grants from the water loan assistance fund
for certain projects. 

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 15.102(b), Water Code, to authorize the Water
Development Board (board) to use the water loan assistance fund to provide
grants for projects that include the provision of, rather than supplying,
water and wastewater services in economically distressed areas and for
agricultural water conservation projects, weather modification projects, or
brush control projects, if the legislature appropriates money specifically
for that purpose. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.
Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.