HBA-CBW H.B. 3404 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3404 By: King, Tracy Natural Resources 3/19/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE When the Edwards Aquifer Authority (authority) was created in the 73rd Legislative Session, it did not provide definitions for "agricultural use" and "non-agricultural use." Currently, the authority charges fees for water usage. The fees for water used for agricultural purposes are calculated at different rates than those for water used for non-agricultural uses. House Bill 3404 adds the definitions of "agricultural use" and "non-agricultural use" for the purpose of clarifying which rate should be charged for a particular use of water. 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 3404 amends law to provide the definitions of "agricultural use" and "non-agricultural use" for purposes of fees and regulations imposed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The bill provides that "agricultural use" means the use of water for irrigation horticulture, or for the raising of livestock and "nonagricultural use" means any other use. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.