SRC-PNG S.B. 1178 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1178 76R4764 WP-FBy: Ogden Natural Resources 3/29/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Lower Colorado River Authority has the authority to provide water services in Williamson County. This bill would allow the Brazos River Authority to enter into an interbasin transfer agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority, and revenues generated from that agreement would be used to finance groundwater development in the downstream irrigationdependent counties. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1178 allows the Brazos River Authority to enter into an interbasin transfer agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority, and would provide that revenues generated from that agreement would be used to finance groundwater development in the downstream irrigation-dependent counties. 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 Article 8280-107, V.T.C.S., to authorize a district to transfer surface water from the district to a place in Williamson County that is outside the watershed of the Colorado River only if the transfer is made to a municipality that was a district water customer on May 20, 1997, rather than the effective date of this section, and located in the watersheds of both the Colorado and the Brazos Rivers, or a person or entity that pays for the surface water in an amount sufficient to pay both the districts' cost of service and an additional charge to mitigate any adverse effects of the transfer of surface water to Williamson County from the Colorado River watershed, as determined by the district's board of directors. Requires the district to determine the amount of the additional charge under Subsection (a)(3)(b) of this section. Authorizes the district to use money from the additional charge only for the development of water resources or other water use strategies to replace or offset the amount of surface water transferred to Williamson County. Provides that the board of director's determination of the additional charge is not subject to review or modification by any regulatory agency or authority. Authorizes water resources developed or conserved through the additional charge to be acquired from any source, in or outside the boundaries of the district, and used to benefit the water service area of the district described in Sections 2(a) and 26 of this Act. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.