Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to conduct a study regarding the development of a market and conveyance network for water in Texas. Multiple factors would be evaluated, including connecting the establishment,construction, operation,and management of a water grid to the state water planning process. The study would be completed, including a 30- day public comment period on a draft report,and submitted to the Legislature by September 1, 2016.
Methodology
According to TWDB,conducting the study would require contracting professional technical services. TWDB estimates the cost to complete the requirements of the bill would be $2 million out of the General Revenue Fund. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. Otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2015.
HB 3298, if passed, would require the Texas Water
Development Board to conduct a study related to the development of a market and
conveyance network for water in this state. The bill is composed of six
sections which are as follows.
Section one is a simple statement of legislative findings
which notes that water is a very important resource for the state and that
water efficiency should be a major goal. Section two notes that any mention if
the “board” refers to the Texas Water Development Board.
Section three outlines what the contents of the study would
be including examination of methods of developing an efficient water market,
notes on water markets within and outside the United States, potential sources
of water for the water grid involving water use in a variety of contexts,
alternative facilities with varying capacities, strategies for the water grid
which would achieve optimal efficiency, alternative methods of construction,
operation, maintenance and control, and methods of funding and conveying
existing and future water conveyance methods.
This section also requires that the Texas Water Development
Board consult with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, The Public
Utility Commission of Texas, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and the General
Land Office. It also requires that the Board allow the public an opportunity to
submit written testimony for consideration.
Section four gives a due date for the report of September 1st
2016. Section five notes that this bill would expire on September 17th
2017. Section seven notes that the effective date for this legislation would be
September 1st 2015.
We agree with the stated intentions of this bill and the
findings of Section One; that water management is a legitimate concern and
function of the state. The development of an effective water market and
conveyance systems would almost certainly allow for Texas to more efficiently
manage its water resources. We hope that such developments will come to
fruition. The goal, reasoning, and justification are legitimate. However we doubt that $2,000,000 on the
proposed study is an efficient use of state funds. And, ultimately, because HB
3298, merely authorizes a study, as opposed to creating a market or conveyance
system, we are neutral on HB 3298.