HBA-LJP H.B. 3404 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3404 By: King, Tracy Natural Resources 8/15/2001 Enrolled 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 "nursery grower." 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 nonagricultural uses. House Bill 3404 adds the definitions of "agricultural use" and "nursery grower" 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 "nursery grower" for purposes of fees and regulations imposed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority. The bill provides that "agricultural use" means any use or activity involving: _cultivation of soil to produce crops or planting seed for the production of fibers; _floriculture, viticulture, silviculture, and horticulture; _raising, feeding, or keeping animals for breeding purposes or for the production of tangible products with commercial value; _wildlife management _raising or keeping equine animals; or _planting cover crops. "Nursery grower" means a person who grows more than 50 percent of the products that the person either sells or leases, regardless of the variety sold, leased, or grown. EFFECTIVE DATE June 15, 2001.