BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2692

By: Guillen

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that the current laws governing the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) are fragmented and outdated, leading to inefficiencies and confusion regarding SARA's powers, governance, and operations. The bill author has also informed the committee that as SARA manages critical water conservation, flood control, and environmental initiatives, it is essential that SARA's enabling legislation be clearly structured. The Sunset Advisory Commission in 2022 found that SARA's governing law is outdated and difficult for the public and SARA to find and understand, and recommended codification. C.S.H.B. 2692 seeks to address this issue by codifying and updating SARA's enabling legislation in order to make the legislation clearer, more consistent, and easier to navigate for the public, stakeholders, and SARA itself.

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. 2692 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to codify and update the enabling legislation of the San Antonio River Authority.

C.S.H.B. 2692 repeals the following provisions:

· Chapter 276, Acts of the 45th Legislature, Regular Session, 1937;

· Section 2, Chapter 504, Acts of the 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957;

· Sections 25, 26, 27, and 28, Chapter 233, Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961;

· Sections 10, 11, and 12, Chapter 836, Acts of the 61st Legislature, Regular Session, 1969;

· Section 2, Chapter 604, Acts of the 64th Legislature, Regular Session, 1975;

· Sections 4 and 5, Chapter 60, Acts of the 67th Legislature, Regular Session, 1981;

· Sections 2 and 3, Chapter 701, Acts of the 70th Legislature, Regular Session, 1987; and

· Sections 13 and 14, Chapter 179, Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2692 differs from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions.