AN ACT
1-1 relating to regional water planning groups.
1-2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-3 SECTION 1. Section 16.053, Water Code, is amended by
1-4 amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (l) through (o) to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 (c) No later than 60 days after the designation of the
1-7 regions under Subsection (b) [of this section], the board shall
1-8 designate representatives within each regional water planning area
1-9 to serve as the initial coordinating body for planning. The
1-10 initial coordinating body may [shall] then designate additional
1-11 representatives to serve on the regional water planning group. The
1-12 initial coordinating body shall designate additional
1-13 representatives if necessary to ensure[, ensuring] adequate
1-14 representation from the interests comprising that region, including
1-15 [but not limited to] the public, counties, municipalities,
1-16 industries, agricultural interests, environmental interests, small
1-17 businesses, electric generating utilities, river authorities, water
1-18 districts, and water utilities. The regional water planning group
1-19 shall maintain adequate representation from those interests.
1-20 (l) A political subdivision may contract with a regional
1-21 water planning group to assist the regional water planning group in
1-22 developing or revising a regional water plan.
1-23 (m) A cause of action does not accrue against a regional
1-24 water planning group, a representative who serves on the regional
2-1 water planning group, or an employee of a political subdivision
2-2 that contracts with the regional water planning group under
2-3 Subsection (l) for an act or omission in the course and scope of
2-4 the person's work relating to the regional water planning group.
2-5 (n) A regional water planning group, a representative who
2-6 serves on the regional water planning group, or an employee of a
2-7 political subdivision that contracts with the regional water
2-8 planning group under Subsection (l) is not liable for damages that
2-9 may arise from an act or omission in the course and scope of the
2-10 person's work relating to the regional water planning group.
2-11 (o) The attorney general, on request, shall represent a
2-12 regional water planning group, a representative who serves on the
2-13 regional water planning group, or an employee of a political
2-14 subdivision that contracts with the regional water planning group
2-15 under Subsection (l) in a suit arising from an act or omission
2-16 relating to the regional water planning group.
2-17 SECTION 2. The changes in law made by Subsections (m)
2-18 through (o), Section 16.053, Water Code, as added by this Act,
2-19 apply only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the
2-20 effective date of this Act. A cause of action that accrued before
2-21 the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on
2-22 the date the cause of action accrued, and that law is continued in
2-23 effect for that purpose.
2-24 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-25 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-26 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-1 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-2 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
3-3 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
3-4 passage, and it is so enacted.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 272 passed the Senate on
March 25, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 272 passed the House on
May 26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor