Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Neutral | Negative | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the period for which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may grant or renew an emergency authorization relating to the use of state water.
SB 521, if passed, would modify the Water Code (Section
11.139) by changing the length of the time periods of emergency authorization granted
by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Emergency authorization is
enacted in times of drought to better manage water resources.
Currently, the initial emergency authorization lasts for a
period of 120 days and subsequent emergency authorization for a period of 60
days. SB 521 would extend these periods so that initial authorization would
last for a period of two years and subsequent authorization for one year.
Also, subsequent authorization may only be issued once under current code. SB 521 would allow multiple subsequent authorizations and would allow the TCEQ to make these authorizations automatic.
5/24/2015 update:
No changes were made in House committee. The second chamber sponsor is Representative Jim Keffer.
First chamber recommendation:
Although appropriate management of water resources in Texas
is an important, SB 521 would go too far in its potential restrictions of
water use. Potentially the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality could
condemn an area to stringent restrictions independent of actual environmental
conditions in a given area. It is not reasonable to assume that the TCEQ can
make predictions regarding hydrological conditions for a given area two years
in advance. Such an assumption is empirically unsound. Nor is it reasonable to grant
the TCEQ authority to make re authorizations automatic and of an indefinite length of
time.
It is our view that SB 521 is an unwarranted expansion of state
power and a potential source of property rights abuse, though the intent is
laudable enough. On these grounds we oppose SB 521.