HBA-GUM S.B. 898 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 898 By: Brown Natural Resources 4/19/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the law authorizes the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for projects that supply water and wastewater services in economically distressed areas. TWDB has received a number of requests for grants to implement agricultural water conservation, weather modification, brush control projects, and the production of water in connection with an oil and gas operation. S.B. 898 authorizes TWDB to use the water loan assistance fund to provide grants for such projects if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 15.102 (b), Water Code, to authorize the Texas Water Development Board to use the water loan fund for agricultural water conservation, weather modification, brush control, and production of water in connection with an oil or gas operation, if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.