Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB268 by Madla (Relating to the repeal of the statutory provision governing the powers and duties of the Rio Grande watermaster and the delivery of water down the banks and bed of the Rio Grande.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would delete provisions in the Water Code which require the Rio Grande Watermaster to administer "bed and banks" permits for water pumped from an underground reservoir, transported via the Rio Grande River, and then stored in a downstream reservoir for delivery to a purchaser further downstream. It also would delete provisions requiring the Rio Grande Watermaster to serve as the official recorder for all instruments, including deeds, deeds of trust, financing statements, security agreements, and liens, that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) authorizes or requires to be filed in connection with water rights relating to water in the lower, middle, or upper basin of the Rio Grande that are subject to a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication. The TCEQ does not expect any significant cost or savings associated with the bill's passage.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality