LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 5, 2003

TO:	Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1935 by Fraser (Relating to the law governing the Brazos River Authority and the law governing the Lower Colorado River Authority, including matters affecting the composition of the governing boards of those authorities.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Water Code by adding a new Title 6, "Surface Water Authorities," and would include a chapter relating to the Brazos River Authority (BRA) and to the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The bill would codify or transfer to the Water Code the existing rights and powers of the authorities created through special laws and subsequent amendments. It would also change the constitution of the boards of directors, limiting them to nine members appointed by the governor. The governor shall appoint the new members as soon as practicable after the effective date of the act. The existing director positions would be abolished at the time five or more new members qualify for office. The bill would further repeal previous laws that governed the two entities.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Both authorities stated that the provisions of the bill would not have a significant fiscal impact.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

301 Office of the Governor, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality, LCR Lower Colorado River Authority

LBB Staff:

JK, CL, DLBa