HBA-LJP S.B. 1697 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1697
By: Barrientos
Natural Resources
5/15/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1999, the Legislature authorized the Lower Colorado River Authority
(LCRA) to sell water to Williamson County and to assess an additional
surcharge on the transferred water to create the agricultural water
conservation fund (fund).  Before making a determination of the use of
money from the fund, LCRA is required to consult an advisory committee
which is composed of members from Matagorda, Wharton, and Colorado
counties, but does not have representatives from Burnet, Llano, and Travis
counties.  These counties are also affected by the transfer of water from
the Colorado River watershed.  Senate Bill 1697 provides for representation
from Burnet, Llano, and Travis counties on the advisory committee with
which LCRA is required to consult with prior to the determination of the
use of money from the fund. 

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

Senate Bill 1697 provides that the advisory committee with which the Lower
Colorado River Authority is required to consult prior to the determination
of the use of money from the agricultural water conservation fund is to be
composed of six members with one member each from Matagorda, Wharton, and
Colorado counties to represent agricultural irrigation interests and one
member each from Burnet, Llano, and Travis counties to represent the
interests of the Highland Lakes. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.