AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

River authorities are created by the state to develop and manage state water, and each such authority is granted certain powers regarding the conservation, storage, use, and distribution of the water of its respective area for the benefit of area residents.  Certain citizens and water right holders recently have expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and review of these important entities.

 

C.S.H.B. 2362 amends current law relating to the efficiency review of river authorities.

 

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 Subchapter G, Chapter 49, Water Code, by adding Section 49.1991, as follows:

 

Sec. 49.1991.  EFFICIENCY REVIEW OF RIVER AUTHORITIES. Provides that a district that is a river authority is subject to an efficiency review by the Legislative Budget Board (LBB).

 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 322, Government Code, by adding Section 322.0171, as follows:

 

Sec. 322.0171.  EFFICIENCY REVIEW OF RIVER AUTHORITIES.  (a) Authorizes LBB to periodically review and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of the policies, management, fiscal affairs, and operations of a river authority.

 

(b) Requires LBB to report the findings of a review and analysis to the governor and the legislature.

 

(c) Provides that until LBB has completed a review and analysis under this section, all information, documentary or otherwise, prepared or maintained in conducting the review and analysis or preparing the review report, including intra-agency and interagency communications and drafts of the review report or portions of those drafts, is excepted from required public disclosure as audit working papers under Section 552.116 (Exception: Audit Working Papers).  Provides that this subsection does not affect whether information described by this subsection is confidential or excepted from required public disclosure under a law other than Section 552.116.

 

SECTION 3. Requires LBB to conduct an efficiency review authorized by Section 322.0171, Government Code, as added by this Act, of both the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Brazos River Authority and report the findings of the review and analysis to the governor and the legislature not later than December 31, 2015.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2013.