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.