Honorable Allan Ritter, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3073 by Miller, Rick (Relating to the operation, powers, and duties of certain levee improvement districts.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code to provide that a Levee Improvement District (LID) that owns or possesses land along a canal, ditch, flume, lateral, dam, reservoir, or lake has the right to use state water from the structure to irrigate the LID's levees to prevent the compromise of the structural integrity of the levee due to insufficient rainfall or drought.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality indicated no significant fiscal impact on the agency is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
LIDs that need water to irrigate levees during times of drought could experience some cost savings as a result of the exemption to contract for or apply for a permit to use state water; however, the amounts would vary depending on the number of LIDs that would utilize the exemption and the amount of the contract or permit savings.
Source Agencies:
582 Commission on Environmental Quality, 592 Soil and Water Conservation Board