BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 347

By: Watson

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert the importance of transparency and public input in the regional water planning process. SB 347 seeks to provide such transparency and input by subjecting each regional water planning group and any committee or subcommittee of such a group to state open meetings law and state public information law.

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

SB 347 amends the Water Code to subject each regional water planning group and any committee or subcommittee of a regional water planning group to state open meetings law and state public information law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.