HBA-BSM H.B. 3535 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3535
By: Puente
State Affairs
3/30/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (authority) is subject to the
Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act (APTRA), the Open Meetings
Act, and the Public Information Act.  The authority is the only non-state
agency subject to the APTRA, and while abiding by the APTRA may be feasible
for a large state agency, it has proven difficult and costly for a
groundwater district.  The authority has had problems in the past
conforming to APTRA rules, resulting in groundwater withdrawal permits
being delayed.  House Bill 3535 removes the Edwards Aquifer Authority from
being subject to the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act. 

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 3535 repeals provisions subjecting the Edwards Aquifer Authority
Act to the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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