SRC-JXG H.B. 2660 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2660
76R10805 MI-DBy: Swinford (Ogden)
Natural Resources
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires the division of emergency management  of the
office of the governor to coordinate a state drought response plan.  The
number and severity of droughts in recent years may warrant the development
of a plan that focuses on risk management, in addition to this plan, which
focuses on drought crisis management.  H.B. 2660 would amend the drought
response plan to specify a state drought manager and make other
organizational and procedural changes. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2660 sets forth provisions regarding a drought response
plan and a state drought manager. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 16.055, Water Code, as follows: (a) Provides that
the coordinator of the division of emergency management of the office of
the governor is the state drought manager. Provides that the state drought
manager is responsible for managing and coordinating the drought response
component of the state water plan.   

(b) Provides that the drought preparedness council (council), rather than
the response and monitoring committee, is created and shall meet as
necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.  Sets forth
composition of the council, including the Texas Forest Service; the Texas
Department of Transportation; the Texas Department of Economic Development;
and the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts.  

(c) Authorizes the governor to designate any other person or a
representative of any other entity to serve on the council.  Makes
conforming changes. 

(d) Requires the state drought manager, rather than the representative of
the division of emergency management, to serve as chair of the council.
Makes a conforming change. 

(e) Requires the council to be responsible for reporting to the
legislature, no later than January 15 of each odd-numbered year, regarding
significant drought conditions in the state. Makes a conforming change. 

(f) Requires the council to consider certain factors, in performing its
duties under this section. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 16C, Water Code, by adding Section 16.0551, as
follows: 

Sec. 16.0551. STATE DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS PLAN.  Requires the council to
develop and implement a comprehensive state drought preparedness plan for
mitigating the effects of drought in the state and to periodically update
the plan.  Requires the plan to be separate from the state water plan.
Sets forth requirements for the plan.  Requires the plan  state drought
manager to use existing resources to develop an information and
communications network to forecast and inform interested parties and the
public of the potential for drought, including programs and staff of state
agencies and other political subdivisions and of state institutions of
higher education. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.