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.