Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3324 by Larson (Relating to the requirements for obtaining an interbasin water transfer permit.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would change notice requirements for public meetings for an interbasin transfer (IBT) from those requiring notice of the application and public meeting be published at a specific size in a newspaper for two weeks in each county of the originating and receiving basin to notice being mailed to water right owners in the basin where the source of supply is located and notice be published in at least one newspaper in the section of the state where the source of water is located.
The bill would require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to consider the effect of an IBT on promoting efficiency and productivity of water use. The bill would provide exemptions from notice requirements for transfers of recycled water or desalinated water produced in the basin of origin.
The bill is not expected to result in significant fiscal implications to the TCEQ.
Local Government Impact
Local governments that apply for interbasin transfers could benefit from the changes proposed by the bill because in some cases it would offer a simplified process than under current law. The resulting savings is not expected to be significant.