HBA-BSM H.B. 1540 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1540
By: Turner, Bob
Natural Resources
3/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) grants  permits for the
irrigation of pecan trees to applicants who file a declaration of
historical use of water withdrawn from the aquifer from June 1, 1972
through May 31, 1993.  Also, the amount of water currently allowed for
irrigation may not be high enough to sustain pecan trees.  House Bill 1540
moves the historic period forward to correspond with EAA rules, and allow
people whose water wells were drilled in this new period to be covered.
H.B.1540 also increases the amount of water available for irrigation of an
existing pecan orchard. 

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 1540 amends law to provide that an existing user of water for
pecan trees in the Edwards Aquifer Region may apply for an initial regular
permit by filing a declaration of historical use of underground water
withdrawn from the aquifer during the historical period from June 1, 1972
through June 28, 1996 rather than May 1, 1993.  The bill also provides that
an existing user's declaration of historical use must be filed on or before
December 30, 1996 rather than March 1, 1994.  An existing pecan orchard
irrigation user shall receive a permit for not less than four-acre feet for
each acre of pecan trees irrigated in any one calendar year during the
historical period.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.