HBA-LJP H.B. 2847 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2847
By: Averitt
Natural Resources
3/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the Brazos River Authority (authority) develops and
manages the surface water of the Brazos River.  The long term water supply
of the authority is under contract and the authority may need an additional
water supply besides the surface water.  Also, groundwater is often
interconnected with surface water and can have a significant impact on the
quality and quantity of the surface water.  House Bill 2847 provides for
the authority's development and management of groundwater in the Brazos
River Basin and environs. 

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 2847 amends law to provide that the Brazos River Authority has
the authority and is recognized to exercise such authority to discover,
develop, produce and use groundwater in the Brazos River Basin and
environs.  The bill also provides that the Brazos River Conservation and
Reclamation District has the powers of control and employment of the
groundwater of the district in the prescribed manner for the greatest
practicable measure of the conservation and beneficial utilization of
groundwater. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.