SRC-MKV S.B. 1441 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1441
77R6557 DAK-FBy: Truan
Natural Resources
3/18/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

As Texas approaches full utilization of water supplies, the water available
to sustain wetlands has decreased.  At the same time, coastal wetlands and
estuaries serve many beneficial purposes which include, but are not limited
to, flood attenuation, pollutant digestion or entrapment, habitat for many
aquatic, terrestrial, and avian species, and nursery and breeding habitat
for aquatic species, including those with high economic value.  As
proposed, S.B. 1441 permits the owner of a water right to divert water from
its appropriation into wetlands to enhance estuaries without obtaining an
additional permit or authority under Chapter 11 of the Water Code. 

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 Chapter 11J, Water Code, by adding Section 11.507, as
follows: 

Sec. 11.507.  WETLAND ENHANCEMENT.  Authorizes an owner of a right to
appropriate water of the state to, without obtaining an additional permit
or authority under this chapter, divert water from its appropriation into
wetlands for enhancement of estuaries under certain conditions. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.