LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 6, 2009

TO:	Honorable Kip Averitt, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4231 by Ritter (Relating to the conveyancing or transfer in this state of water imported into this state from a source located outside this state.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would allow a person to to use the bed and banks to convey water imported from a source located wholly outside the boundaries of this state; however, water imported from Mexico would be prohibited from using Texas streams as a means of conveyance. The bill would also include these types of bed and banks authorizations as an exempt inter-basin transfer only when the bed and banks are those of a navigable stream. 

The bill would require Commission on Environmental Quality staff to coordinate with the General Land Office staff to verify whether the proposed bed and banks are of a navigable stream as part of the permitting process. Any costs resulting from such coordination are not expected to be significant.

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

LBB Staff:

JOB, SD, TL