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.