HBA-SEP C.S.H.B. 2665 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2665
By: Oliveira
Natural Resources
3/26/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Southmost Regional Water Authority (authority) is investigating the
feasibility of producing brackish groundwater from wells and treating the
water with a reverse osmosis process to supplement the Cameron County
members' municipal water supply.  The authority is concerned with
protecting its proposed wells which requires the power to regulate well
spacing and production.   C.S.H.B. 2665 grants the authority all of the
rights, powers, privileges, authority, functions, and duties of a
groundwater conservation district. 

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

C.S.H.B. 2665 amends law to grant, within certain boundaries, the Southmost
Regional Water Authority (authority) all of the rights, powers, privileges,
authority, functions, and duties of a groundwater conservation district,
subject to voter approval at a confirmation election. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2665 differs from the original by subjecting the Southernmost
Regional Water Authority to a confirmation election.  The substitute adds
the condition that if the proposition submitted to the voters does not
receive the approval of the voters before September 1, 2002, this Act
expires on that date.