BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 551

By: Seliger

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Water Conservation Advisory Council was created to provide the governor, members of the legislature, the public, and other entities with the resource of a select council with expertise in water conservation. The parties contend that it would be appropriate to use such council expertise to make recommendations for legislative action along with the biennial progress report on water conservation in Texas that the council already is required to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives. C.S.S.B. 551 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 551 amends the Water Code to require the Water Conservation Advisory Council, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year and in addition to the statutorily required biennial progress report on water conservation, to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives recommendations for legislation to advance water conservation in Texas, including conservation through the reduction of the amount of water lost because of evaporation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.S.B. 551 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

SENATE ENGROSSED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 10.011, Water Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 10.011.  REPORT.  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives: (1)  a report on progress made in water conservation in this state; and (2)  recommendations for legislation to advance water conservation in this state.	SECTION 1.  Section 10.011, Water Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 10.011.  REPORT.  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives: (1)  a report on progress made in water conservation in this state; and (2)  recommendations for legislation to advance water conservation in this state, including conservation through the reduction of the amount of water lost because of evaporation.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2. Same as engrossed version.