SRC-PNG C.S.S.B. 898 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 898 76R10217 SMJ-DBy: Brown Natural Resources 3/25/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) 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, brush control projects, and the production of water in connection with an oil and gas operation. This bill would authorize the use of the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for agricultural water conservation projects, weather modification projects, brush control projects, and the production of water in connection with an oil or gas operation, if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.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, brush control projects, and the production of water in connection with an oil or gas operation, 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. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 15.102(b), Water Code, to authorize the board to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for the production of water in connection with an oil or gas operation, if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.