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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 4595

By: Guillen

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Concerns have been raised regarding fluctuating water levels on Falcon Lake, and there have been calls to conduct research regarding possible mistreatment of the lake. C.S.H.B. 4595 seeks to address these concerns by providing for a study and report on the optimum water level of the lake.

 

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. 4595 requires the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) jointly to conduct a study on the optimum water level of Falcon Lake. The bill requires the study to examine the optimum water level for recreational fishing and the factors that contribute to the rise and fall in water levels. The bill requires TPWD and TCEQ, not later than December 1, 2020, to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a report that includes the findings of the study and recommendations on maintaining the optimum water level for recreational fishing on Falcon Lake. 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. 4595 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 replaces the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission with TPWD as one of the entities required to conduct the study.

 

The substitute makes certain revisions to clarify the respective contents of the study and report and to clarify the submitting agencies.