HBA-BSM H.B. 2947 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2947
By: Davis, John
Natural Resources
7/19/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, a city was required to post notice of intent
to obtain a water discharge permit in the newspaper with the largest
circulation in the county.  This means that cities in counties such as
Harris and Dallas must pay to advertise in major national newspapers when
only a small area of that paper's circulation is affected. This can result
in very high advertising costs for a city.  House Bill 2947 modifies law to
allow a municipality applying for a water discharge permit to print notice
in the newspaper of general circulation in the municipality in which the
facility is to be located. 

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 2947 amends the Water Code to require an applicant to publish
notice of intent to obtain a water discharge permit at least once in a
newspaper of general circulation in the municipality if the facility to
which the application relates is located or proposed to be located in a
municipality. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.