BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3264

By: Buckley

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that there is no up-to-date, comprehensive study of groundwater conditions in certain areas of Central Texas and that major population changes and urbanization in recent decades have significantly changed levels of groundwater usage in those areas since the last comprehensive study was published. C.S.H.B. 3264 seeks to address this issue by providing for a study by the Texas Water Development Board of groundwater conditions in certain counties.  

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

C.S.H.B. 3264 requires the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board, for the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers north of the Colorado River in Bell, Burnet, Milam, Travis, and Williamson Counties and in order to engage in a scientific inquiry and analysis regarding current and projected groundwater production and to assess the effects of that production on groundwater conditions, to take the following actions:

· compile and evaluate current data on groundwater levels, aquifer characteristics, and groundwater use and production; and

· fully assess the effects of current and projected groundwater production on groundwater conditions.

C.S.H.B. 3264 requires the executive administrator, not later than September 1, 2020, to:

· complete the compilation, evaluation, and assessment of the data;

· prepare a report of the findings of the compilation, evaluation, and assessment; and

· make copies of the report available to the public.

The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3264 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute does not include a provision making the implementation of the bill's provisions contingent on a legislature appropriation specifically for that purpose.

The substitute includes a specification that the portion of the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers to be evaluated and assessed is north of the Colorado River.