BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1538

By: Watson

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that the Texas Water Development Board should have greater discretion in its use of the floodplain management account. S.B. 1538 seeks to provide this discretion by expanding the authorized uses of the account.

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. 1538 amends the Water Code to include as a purpose for which the Texas Water Development Board may use the floodplain management account funding the performance of an activity related to the collection and analysis of flood-related information; flood planning, protection, mitigation, or adaptation; or the provision of flood-related information to the public through educational or outreach programs.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.