SRC-MKV H.B. 2947 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2947
77R6857 MI-DBy: Davis, John (Jackson)
Natural Resources
5/6/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a city must post notice of intent to obtain a water discharge
permit in the newspaper with the largest circulation in the county. This
means that cities in counties such as Harris and Dallas must pay to
advertise in major national newspapers when only a small area of that
paper's circulation is affected. This can result in very high advertising
costs for a city. H.B. 2947 modifies law to allow a municipality applying
for a water discharge permit to print notice in the newspaper of general
circulation in the municipality in which the facility is to be located.  

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 Section 5.552(b), Water Code, as added by Chapter 1350,
Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to add language
requiring an applicant to publish notice of intent at least once in a
newspaper of general circulation in a municipality, if the facility to
which the application relates is located or proposed to be located in the
municipality. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Makes application of this Act prospective.

  (b) Effective date: September 1, 2001.