BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3663

By: Frank

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The North Central Texas Municipal Water Authority was created by the 55th Texas Legislature to build Millers Creek Reservoir and serve treated water to the surrounding area. During recent droughts, the Millers Creek Reservoir, located in southwest Baylor County, has dropped to a worrisomely low level. In response, cities within the area were administered grants to drill groundwater wells as an emergency source of water in case the reservoir went dry. Because the authority does not have the power to develop or acquire groundwater, however, the authority has been unable to do anything to maintain or help develop these wells. H.B. 3663 seeks to address this issue by authorizing the authority to develop or otherwise acquire underground sources of water.

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

H.B. 3663 amends Chapter 86, Acts of the 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, to authorize the North Central Texas Municipal Water Authority to develop or otherwise acquire underground sources of water. The bill validates in all respects all acts of the authority relating to the development or acquisition of groundwater occurring on or before the bill's effective date and taken in response to emergency drought conditions that have not been rescinded or are the subject of pending litigation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.