BILL ANALYSIS
By: Puente
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Rainwater harvesting is a potentially useful water conservation and reuse technique. In order to complement the State's existing resources, however, standards and guidelines for indoor use of rainwater must be more fully explored - particularly with respect to technical guidance regarding the incorporation of rainwater harvesting in municipal water systems.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Section 1 requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to establish a Rainwater Harvesting Evaluation Committee to study the feasibility of using rainwater as a source of water supply. The committee is composed of four members: a representative from the TWDB, a representative from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, a representative from the Department of State Health Services, and a representative from the Texas section of the American Water Works Association's Conservation and Reuse Division.
The representative from the TWDB is the presiding officer of the committee. The committee may request the assistance of outside experts or consultants.
Not later than December 1, 2006, the committee shall provide a report to the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house that includes the following:
▪ an evaluation of the potential for rainwater harvesting in Texas; and
▪ recommendations regarding minimum water quality guidelines and standards and treatment methods for potable and nonpotable indoor uses of rainwater; ways, such as dual plumbing systems, to use rainwater harvesting systems in conjunction with existing municipal systems for residential, industrial, community, or public water supplies; and ways the state can further promote rainwater harvesting.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act expires and the Rainwater Harvesting Evaluation Committee is abolished January 1, 2007.
SECTION 3. Provides for immediate effect if the bill receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members of each house as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution; otherwise September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Immediate effect if the bill receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members of each house as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution; otherwise September 1, 2005.