SRC-MKV H.B. 2847 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 2847 By: Averitt (Sibley) Natural Resources 5/10/2001 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, the Brazos River Authority (authority) develops and manages the surface water of the Brazos River. The long term water supply of the authority is under contract and the authority may need an additional water supply besides the surface water. Also, groundwater is often interconnected with surface water and can have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of the surface water. H.B. 2847 provides for the authority's development and management of groundwater in the Brazos River Basin for the use of its customers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 2, 3, and 4, Chapter 13, Special Laws, Acts of the 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1929, as follows: Sec. 2. Adds language to require the Brazos River Authority to have and be recognized to exercise such authority to discover, develop, and produce groundwater in the Brazos River Basin for the use of its customers. Sec. 3. Adds language to require the Brazos River Authority to have and be recognized to exercise the powers of control and employment of groundwater of the district. (j) Adds language to add to the list of purposes for such authority to include developing and making groundwater available for use for domestic, municipal, irrigation, commercial and industrial purposes. (m) Provides that nothing in this chapter shall confer to the Brazos River Authority any power under Chapter 36, Water Code, to regulate the groundwater of other land owners. Sec. 4. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Section 5-b, Chapter 368, Acts of the 44th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1935, to add language to specify the use of waters as the use of waters of the State of Texas. SECTION 3. Amends Sections 6 and 12, Chapter 13, Special Laws, Acts of the 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1929, as follows: Sec. 6. Changes references from "President" and "Vice-President" to "Chairman" and "ViceChairman." Sec. 12. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 3, Chapter 13, Acts of the 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1929, by adding Subsection (m).