HBA-BSM H.B. 1540 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1540 By: Turner, Bob Natural Resources 3/19/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) grants permits for the irrigation of pecan trees to applicants who file a declaration of historical use of water withdrawn from the aquifer from June 1, 1972 through May 31, 1993. Also, the amount of water currently allowed for irrigation may not be high enough to sustain pecan trees. House Bill 1540 moves the historic period forward to correspond with EAA rules, and allow people whose water wells were drilled in this new period to be covered. H.B.1540 also increases the amount of water available for irrigation of an existing pecan orchard. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 1540 amends law to provide that an existing user of water for pecan trees in the Edwards Aquifer Region may apply for an initial regular permit by filing a declaration of historical use of underground water withdrawn from the aquifer during the historical period from June 1, 1972 through June 28, 1996 rather than May 1, 1993. The bill also provides that an existing user's declaration of historical use must be filed on or before December 30, 1996 rather than March 1, 1994. An existing pecan orchard irrigation user shall receive a permit for not less than four-acre feet for each acre of pecan trees irrigated in any one calendar year during the historical period. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.