BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 1462

                                                                                                                                            By: Flores

                                                                                                                               Natural Resources

                                                                                                           Committee Report (Amended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Under current law the Texas Water Development Board (the Board) does not have any authority to refer an applicant for or recipient of financial assistance from the Board to any outside state agency for investigation or initiation of an enforcement action.  When evidence of possible wrongdoings are made known, the Board is not in a position to pass this knowledge on to the proper authorities.  House Bill 1462 would provide the Board the authority to refer the problem to another state authority for further investigation.

 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 6, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 6.1555, authorizing the Board, as a result of a complaint filed with them or on their own motion, to refer an applicant for or recipient of financial assistance from the Board to another state agency for investigation or enforcement action.  The executive administrator will then monitor the progress and report to the board on a quarterly basis.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, if the act receives the necessary vote; otherwise September 1, 2005.

 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

 

The committee amendment provides for immediate effect.