By Truan                                              S.B. No. 1441
         77R6557 DAK-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to diversion by a permit holder of water for wetland
 1-3     enhancement.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter J, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Section 11.507 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 11.507.  WETLAND ENHANCEMENT. An owner of a right to
 1-8     appropriate water of the state may, without obtaining an additional
 1-9     permit or authority under this chapter, divert water from its
1-10     appropriation into wetlands for enhancement of estuaries if:
1-11                 (1)  its permit to appropriate water provides for
1-12     releases for the benefit of estuaries; and
1-13                 (2)  the diversion is in accordance with an order
1-14     issued by the commission under the permit for the benefit of the
1-15     estuaries.
1-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-17     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-18     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-19     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-20     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.