SRC-JLB S.B. 1094 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1094
By: Duncan
Natural Resources
3/20/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Interim Report of the Texas Joint Committee on Water Resources to the
78th Legislature, 2003, suggests that the Texas Water Development Board
and regional water planning groups should work together to develop
recommendations on how to define and evaluate water-use efficiency
measures that will be needed to meet the goals and strategies identified
for inclusion in the state and regional water plans.  As proposed, S.B.
1094 establishes the Water Conservation Implementation Task Force to
review, evaluate, and recommend optimum levels of water use efficiency and
conservation for Texas. 

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.  DEFINITION.  Defines "task force."

SECTION 2.  WATER CONSERVATION IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE.  (a)  Requires
the Texas Water Development Board (board) to select members of the water
conservation implementation task force (task force) to represent certain
entities and interest groups from applicants recommended by certain
entities and interest groups. 

(b)  Provides that the executive administrator of the board or the
administrator's designee is the presiding officer of the task force. 

SECTION 3.  DUTIES OF TASK FORCE.  Requires the task force to review,
evaluate, and recommend optimum levels of water use efficiency and
conservation for the state by following certain guidelines. 

SECTION 4.  ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES.  Authorizes the task force to
request the assistance of state agencies, departments, or offices to carry
out its duties, including necessary staff support. 

SECTION 5.  PUBLIC MEETINGS.  Authorizes the task force to hold public
meetings as needed to fulfill its duties under this Act. 

SECTION 6.  BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES GUIDE; REPORT.  Requires the task
force, not later than November 1, 2004, to develop a best management
practices guide for use by regional water planning groups and political
subdivisions responsible for water delivery service and to make a final
report to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and the legislature evaluating the issues described in
Section 3 of this Act. 

SECTION 7.  EXPIRATION OF ACT AND ABOLITION OF TASK FORCE.  Provides that
this Act expires and the task force is abolished on January 1, 2005. 
 
SECTION 8.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1,
2003.