LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 30, 2005

TO:	Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB331 by Lindsay (Relating to the North Harris County Regional Water Authority.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would make changes in how the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (NHCRWA) operates regarding compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, delegating certain authority to the NHCRWA that under current statute is the responsibility of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2005.

According to TCEQ, the proposed changes in statute could affect the state's compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and could result in a loss of primacy or federal funding received by the agency, if the Environmental Protection Agency would determine that the agency's oversight of the NHCRWA is inadequate as a result of implementation of the bill.

Local Government Impact

Because the bill would not have statewide impact on units of local government of the same type or class, no comment from this office is required by the rules of the House/Senate as to its probable fiscal implication on units of local government.

Source Agencies:

582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, TL, DLBa