LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 24, 2013

TO:	Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB281 by Estes (Relating to the administration and powers of the Red River Authority of Texas.), Conference Committee Report

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Chapter 279, Acts of the 56th Legislature, Regular Session, 1959, to authorize the Red River Authority board of directors to meet by conference call, videoconference call, or through Internet communications; and purchase groundwater rights as defined by the provisions of the bill.
 
The bill would amend Section 25, Chapter 279, Acts of the 56th Legislature, Regular Session, 1959, to provide that the Authority would not be authorized to regulate or control underground water or underground water rights by condemnation, or purchase to develop, regulate or control the use in any manner.

The bill would also give the Authority the ability to purchase groundwater rights in a county in the Authority's territory under certain conditions.

Local Government Impact

According to the Red River Authority, no fiscal impact to the authority is anticipated.
 
According to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, no fiscal impact to local soil and water conservation districts is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

UP, SD, SZ, TP