BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 600
	By: Perry
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	5/28/2021
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 600 directs the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to create a "dam inventory" for those structures under the obligation of a river authority. The inventory is based on information already received by TCEQ and the bill requires TCEQ to post the information to a public website.

(Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 600 amends current law relating to an inventory of dams controlled by river authorities.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in SECTION 1 (Section 12.053, Water Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 12, Water Code, by adding Section 12.053, as follows:

Sec. 12.053. INVENTORY OF DAMS OPERATED BY RIVER AUTHORITIES. (a) Provides that this section applies only to a river authority described by Section 325.025(b) (relating to certain river authorities subject to a limited review under the Sunset Law), Government Code.

(b) Requires each river authority to provide to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) information regarding the operation and maintenance of dams under the control of that river authority. Requires TCEQ by rule to require a river authority to provide information for each dam under its control, including, at least, the location of the dam; under whose jurisdiction the dam operates; a required maintenance schedule for the dam; costs of the operation and maintenance of the dam; and the method of finance for the operation and maintenance costs of the dam.

(c) Requires a river authority to submit the information required by Subsection (b) to TCEQ each year and in the event of a significant change in the information.

(d) Requires TCEQ, subject to federal and state confidentiality laws, to create and maintain an Internet website that contains the information collected under this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.