HBA-BSM H.B. 1504 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1504
By: Walker
Natural Resources
2/25/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires districts that have authority over water well permits
to promptly consider and pass on each application received.  By changing
the requirement to act instead of pass, the bill authorizes districts to
have greater options over approving or denying applications received.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1504 amends the Water Code to require a district that has the
authority  to regulate water wells to promptly consider and act on each
application for a  permit.  The bill authorizes an applicant to petition
the district court of the county where the land is located, after 20 days
from the date of the application, if an application has not been acted upon
or set for a hearing on a specific date. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.