BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1210

81R6088 PMO-F                                                                                                                By: Fraser

                                                                                                                               Natural Resources

                                                                                                                                              4/1/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Water Rights Permit No. 5394A is held by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA).  It was granted on April 10, 1998, by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  The permit authorizes UGRA to divert up to 2,000 acre-feet of water per annum from the Guadalupe River for municipal use.  

 

As proposed,  S.B. 1210 clarifies the authority of the UGRA to utilize the water supply authorized for diversion under the permit for the benefit of residents of Kerr County.  Specifically, the legislation authorizes UGRA to contract to provide the water supply to any Kerr County entity or to otherwise use the water supply for municipal use in Kerr County.  The legislation supersedes any conflicting provisions of the permit that would not authorize UGRA to utilize the water supply for such purposes, specifically Special Condition No. 5D.i, which authorizes the water supply to be contracted for municipal uses by Kerr County entities other than the City of Kerrville.  

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

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

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 642, Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, by adding Section 1A, to authorize the Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA), to help facilitate the statewide and regional goals of making efficient and responsible use of the state's water resources, to contract to provide any Kerr County entity, and to otherwise use in Kerr County, water for municipal use under Permit No. 5394A, which was issued to UGRA by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.  Provides that this section supersedes Permit No. 5394A, and specifically Special Condition No. 5D.i of the permit, to the extent of any conflict.   

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2009.