HBA-LJP, BSM H.B. 247 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 247
By: Turner
State Recreational Resources
2/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a person is authorized to construct a dam or reservoir
on that person's property  if the dam has normal storage of not more than
200 acre-feet of water and is for domestic and livestock purposes.  By
allowing individuals access to the water impounded by the dam for hunting
and fishing, rural property owners could obtain revenue.  House Bill 247
authorizes property owners to impound water without a permit for commercial
or noncommercial wildlife management. 

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 247 amends the Water Code to authorize a person to construct on
the person's own property a dam or reservoir with normal storage of not
more than 200 acre-feet of water for commercial or noncommercial wildlife
management, including fishing, without obtaining a permit. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.