BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1603
85R25373 SLB-D	By: Price; King, Ken (Seliger)
	Administration
	5/22/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Relating to certain powers and duties of the Palo Duro River Authority of Texas.

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 Chapter 438 (Palo Duro River Authority), Acts of the 63rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1973 by adding Sections 3A, 3B, and 3C and amending Section 5, as follows:

Sec. 3A.� Authorizes the Palo Duro River Authority of Texas (Authority) to develop and generate electric energy by means of renewable energy resources inside the boundaries of the Authority, and distribute and sell electric energy to certain entities.

Sec. 3B.� Provides that an entity that buys or receives electric energy from the Authority is not required to build a new transmission line.� Provides that grid interconnection made by an entity that buys or receives electric energy from the Authority does not subject the entity to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and does not affect FERC's jurisdiction over an entity over which FERC already has jurisdiction.��

Sec. 3C.� Authorizes the Authority to lease hunting rights on property owned by the Authority, as well as develop, manage, or lease property owned by the Authority for any recreational purpose.

Sec. 5.� (a) Prohibits the Authority from constructing a dam or other facility for impounding water until the plans therefor are approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.� Deletes existing text requiring that no dam or other facilities for impounding water be constructed until the plans therefor are approved by the Texas Water Rights Commission.� Makes conforming changes.

(b) Creates this subsection from existing text.� Authorizes the Authority to sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property deemed by the Authority, rather than FERC, not to be needed for Authority purposes, subject to the terms of any deed of trust or other indenture.� Deletes existing text requiring that terms be issued by FERC.���

SECTION 2.� Effective date: Upon passage or September 1, 2017.�

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