BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 696

By: Perry

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) uses water availability models when evaluating a newly requested water right or amendment to determine the availability of water in the applicable river basin. However, these parties contend that some of these models need updating to more accurately reflect recent drought levels. S.B. 696 seeks to address this issue by requiring TCEQ to obtain or develop updated water availability models for certain river basins.

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

S.B. 696 amends the Water Code to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), not later than December 1, 2020, to obtain or develop updated water availability models for the Brazos, Guadalupe, San Antonio, Sulphur, and Rio Grande River basins. The bill authorizes TCEQ to collect data from all jurisdictions that allocate the waters of the rivers, including jurisdictions outside Texas. The bill expires September 1, 2021, and takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of the bill is provided in a general appropriations act of the 85th Legislature.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.