SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 991 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 991
76R9683 MI-DBy: Lucio
Natural Resources
3/25/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the available water supplies in the Rio Grande Valley are
dwindling due to growing municipal and economic needs. C.S.S.B. 991 would
allow the use of state or federal funds to provide grants or loans through
the Texas Water Development Board for water conservation projects to
irrigation districts.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 991 regulates the operations of the Texas Water Bank. 

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 15.703(a), Water Code, to authorize the Texas
Water Development Board (board) to take all actions necessary to operate
the Texas Water Bank (water bank) and to facilitate the transfer of water
rights from the water bank for future beneficial use, including but not
limited to purchasing, holding, and transferring rather than selling, water
or water rights in its own name, and entering into contracts with persons
to pay for feasibility studies or, rather than of, the preparation of plans
and specifications relating to water conservation efforts or to estimate
the amount of water that would be saved through conservation efforts. Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 15.705, Water Code, as follows:

Sec. 15.705. FEES. Authorizes the board to charge a transaction fee per
transfer not to exceed one percent, rather than $500, of the value of the
water or water right received into or transferred from the water bank to
cover expenses of the board in operating the water bank. Requires the board
to place fees in the water bank account of the water assistance fund where
they are to be separately accounted  for and used, with interest, only for
the administration and operation of the water bank by the board. Deletes
text regarding exempt political subdivisions. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 15.707(a), Water Code, to provide that the water
bank account is created as a special account in the water assistance fund
and is composed of money received from the transfer of water or water
rights held in the board's name in the bank. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
                     Effective date: upon passage. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends Section 15.707(a), Water Code, to authorize the board to take all
actions necessary to operate the water bank and to facilitate the transfer
of water rights from the water bank for  future beneficial use, including
but not limited to purchasing, holding, and transferring rather than
selling, water or water rights in its own name, and entering into contracts
with persons to pay for feasibility studies or, rather than of, the
preparation of plans and specifications relating to water conservation
efforts or to estimate the amount of water that would be saved through
conservation efforts.