BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1574
	By: Alvarado
	Water & Rural Affairs
	5/28/2019
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), in its legislative priorities for the 86th Texas Legislature, identified several obsolete and duplicative requirements within the Texas Water Code. Among them are removing the requirements to produce a study now produced by a separate agency, a requirement to meet annually with a committee that is no longer active, and a requirement to furnish a report containing information that will be readily available on the agency's website.

S.B. 1574 removes three main obsolete and duplicative requirements from the Texas Water Code. It removes the statutory requirement for the Water Conservation Study conducted jointly between TWDB and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB). The Water Conservation Advisory Council, created by the legislature in 2007, now produces  this study. S.B. 1574 removes the requirement for TWDB to meet annually with the board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs or any successor agency to assess the agencies� progress in meeting needs of colonia residents and to receive updates and recommendations from the Colonia Initiatives Advisory Committee. The Colonia Initiatives Advisory Committee is no longer active and therefore no longer able to meet. Currently, TWDB, the Texas Department of Agriculture, and 11 other state and federal agencies meet regularly as the Texas Water Infrastructure Coordination Committee to cover issues related to colonias. S.B. 1574 removes the statutory requirement for the TWDB report that evaluates best management practices in water conservation plans. By the end of fiscal year 2019 the information included in this report will be posted annually on the TWDB�s website, making the report unnecessary. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 1574 amends current law relating to the duties of the Texas Water Development Board.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 2306.590(d), Government Code, as follows:

(d) Requires the Colonia Initiatives Advisory Committee to:

(1) makes no changes to this subdivision;

(2) present an update and make recommendations to the governing board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (board; TDHCA) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) annually at a joint meeting regarding, rather than present an update and make recommendations to the board and TWDB annually at the joint meeting required by Section 6.060(d), Water Code, regarding, certain efforts; and

(3)�(4) makes no changes to these subdivisions.

SECTION 2. Repealer: 6.060(d) (relating to requiring TWDB to meet annually with the governing board of TDHCA), Water Code.

Repealer: 16.022 (Water Conservation Study), Water Code.

Repealer: 17.1245(b) (relating to a requirement of TWDB to submit to the legislature a written summary of the results of certain evaluations), Water Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.