AN ACT
1-1 relating to the dates by which regional and state water plans must
1-2 be adopted.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Subsection (c), Section 11.134, Water Code, is
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 (c) Beginning January 5, 2002 [September 1, 2001], the
1-7 commission may not issue a water right for municipal purposes in a
1-8 region that does not have an approved regional water plan in
1-9 accordance with Section 16.053(i) [of this code] unless the
1-10 commission determines that conditions warrant waiver of this
1-11 requirement.
1-12 SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 16.051, Water Code, is
1-13 amended to read as follows:
1-14 (a) No later than January 5, 2002 [September 1, 2001], and
1-15 every five years thereafter, the board shall adopt a comprehensive
1-16 state water plan that incorporates the regional water plans
1-17 approved under Section 16.053 [of this code]. The state water plan
1-18 shall provide for the orderly development, management, and
1-19 conservation of water resources and preparation for and response to
1-20 drought conditions, in order that sufficient water will be
1-21 available at a reasonable cost to ensure public health, safety, and
1-22 welfare; further economic development; and protect the agricultural
1-23 and natural resources of the entire state.
1-24 SECTION 3. Subsections (i) and (j), Section 16.053, Water
2-1 Code, are amended to read as follows:
2-2 (i) The regional water planning groups shall submit their
2-3 adopted regional water plans to the board by January 5, 2001
2-4 [September 1, 2000], for approval and inclusion in the state water
2-5 plan. In conjunction with the submission of regional water plans,
2-6 each planning group should make legislative recommendations, if
2-7 any, to facilitate more voluntary water transfers in the region.
2-8 Subsequent regional water plans shall be submitted at least every
2-9 five years thereafter. Public participation for revised regional
2-10 plans shall follow the procedures under Subsection (h) [of this
2-11 section].
2-12 (j) The board may provide financial assistance to political
2-13 subdivisions under Subchapters E and F of this chapter, [and]
2-14 Subchapters C, D, E, F, and J, Chapter 15, and Subchapters D, I, K,
2-15 and L, Chapter 17, [of this code] for water supply projects only
2-16 if:
2-17 (1) the board determines that the needs to be
2-18 addressed by the project will be addressed in a manner that is
2-19 consistent with the state water plan; and
2-20 (2) beginning January 5, 2002 [September 1, 2001], the
2-21 board:
2-22 (A) has approved a regional water plan as
2-23 provided by Subsection (i) [of this section], and any required
2-24 updates of the plan, for the region of the state that includes the
2-25 area benefiting from the proposed project; and
2-26 (B) determines that the needs to be addressed by
3-1 the project will be addressed in a manner that is consistent with
3-2 that regional water plan.
3-3 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
3-4 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-5 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-6 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-7 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
3-8 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
3-9 passage, and it is so enacted.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 658 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. 658 passed the House on
May 25, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor