Honorable Lyle Larson, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3735 by Frank (Relating to an application for a new or amended water right submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Texas Water Code, Section 11.125(a) to require that an application to appropriate state water must include a map or plat in the form and containing the information prescribed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The bill would amend Section 11.134 to require that applications address a water supply need in a manner that is not inconsistent with the state water plan, and to allow TCEQ to consider only the factors within the jurisdiction and expertise of the agency when determining whether an appropriation is detrimental to the public welfare. The bill would apply only to applications received after the effective date of the bill. The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
TCEQ estimates that implementing the provisions of the bill could be done using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.