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.