BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1512
By: Averitt
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As proposed, S.B. 1512 updates various provisions in Chapter 11, Water Code, related to surface water resources for internal consistency and clarity.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.002, Water Code, by amending Subdivision (1) to redefine "commission" and adding Subdivision (7) to define "developed water."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 11.023(e), Water Code, to require the amount of water appropriated for certain purposes (such as for domestic, agricultural, and other uses) to be specifically appropriated, stored, or diverted, rather than just appropriated, for that purpose.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 11.042(b), Water Code, to require a person who wishes to discharge and then subsequently reuse the person's existing return flows derived from developed water, rather than privately owned groundwater, to obtain prior authorization from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 11.126(c), Water Code, to specify that a dam's height, for purposes of an application for construction of a dam, is measured from the channel invert elevation to the top of the dam.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2005.