S.B. No. 523
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the sunset review of river authorities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  SUNSET ACT. Chapter 325, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 325.025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 325.025.  RIVER AUTHORITIES SUBJECT TO REVIEW.  (a)  A
  river authority listed in Subsection (b) is subject to a limited
  review under this chapter as if it were a state agency but may not be
  abolished.
         (b)  This section applies to the:
               (1)  Angelina and Neches River Authority;
               (2)  Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater
  District;
               (3)  Brazos River Authority;
               (4)  Central Colorado River Authority;
               (5)  Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority;
               (6)  Lavaca-Navidad River Authority;
               (7)  Lower Colorado River Authority;
               (8)  Lower Neches Valley Authority;
               (9)  Nueces River Authority;
               (10)  Palo Duro River Authority of Texas;
               (11)  Red River Authority of Texas;
               (12)  Sabine River Authority of Texas;
               (13)  San Antonio River Authority;
               (14)  San Jacinto River Authority;
               (15)  Sulphur River Basin Authority;
               (16)  Trinity River Authority of Texas;
               (17)  Upper Colorado River Authority; and
               (18)  Upper Guadalupe River Authority.
         (c)  The limited review under this chapter must assess each
  river authority's:
               (1)  governance;
               (2)  management;
               (3)  operating structure; and
               (4)  compliance with legislative requirements.
         (d)  A river authority shall pay the cost incurred by the
  commission in performing a review of the authority under this
  section. The commission shall determine the cost, and the
  authority shall pay the amount promptly on receipt of a statement
  from the commission detailing the cost.
         (e)  A river authority reviewed by the commission under this
  section may not be required to conduct a management audit under
  Chapter 292, Title 30, Texas Administrative Code.
         SECTION 2.  ANGELINA AND NECHES RIVER AUTHORITY. Subchapter
  A, Chapter 8501, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by
  adding Section 8501.0015 to read as follows:
         Sec. 8501.0015.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The
  authority is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code
  (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter.
  The review shall be conducted under Section 325.025, Government
  Code, as if the authority were a state agency scheduled to be
  abolished September 1, 2023, and every 12th year after that year.
         (b)  The authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 3.  BANDERA COUNTY RIVER AUTHORITY AND GROUNDWATER
  DISTRICT. Chapter 629, Acts of the 62nd Legislature, Regular
  Session, 1971, is amended by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The district is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the district were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2023, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The district shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the district shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 4.  CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY.  Subchapter A,
  Chapter 8505, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by
  adding Section 8505.0021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 8505.0021.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The
  authority is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code
  (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter.
  The review shall be conducted under Section 325.025, Government
  Code, as if the authority were a state agency scheduled to be
  abolished September 1, 2017, and every 12th year after that year.
         (b)  The authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 5.  GUADALUPE-BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY.  Chapter 75,
  Acts of the 43rd Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1933, is amended
  by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The District is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the District were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2019, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The District shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the District shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 6.  LAVACA-NAVIDAD RIVER AUTHORITY. Chapter 186,
  Acts of the 50th Legislature, Regular Session, 1947, is amended by
  adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The District is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the District were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2023, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The District shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the District shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 7.  LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY.  Chapter 8503,
  Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section
  8503.0021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 8503.0021.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The
  authority is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code
  (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter.
  The review shall not include the management of the generation or
  transmission of electricity under the wholesale electricity
  operation of the authority and the authority's affiliated nonprofit
  corporations.  The review shall be conducted under Section 325.025,
  Government Code, as if the authority were a state agency scheduled
  to be abolished September 1, 2019, and every 12th year after that
  year.
         (b)  In anticipation of the sunset review under Subsection
  (a), based on the results of an audit, including a
  performance-related audit, conducted by the state auditor before
  December 1, 2016, the state auditor may make recommendations to the
  legislature, including whether a review conducted under Subsection
  (a) should include the financial operation and management of the
  generation or transmission of electricity under the wholesale
  electricity operation of the authority and the authority's
  affiliated nonprofit corporations.
         (c)  The authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review under Subsection (a).
  The Sunset Advisory Commission shall determine the cost, and the
  authority shall pay the amount promptly on receipt of a statement
  from the Sunset Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 8.  LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY. Section
  8503.015, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 8503.015.  AUDITS [AUDIT]. (a)  The authority is
  subject to the audit provisions of Subchapter G, Chapter 49, Water
  Code.
         (b)  The authority is subject to the audit provisions of
  Chapter 321, Government Code.  This subsection expires January 1,
  2017.
         SECTION 9.  LOWER NECHES VALLEY AUTHORITY. Subchapter A,
  Chapter 8504, Special District Local Laws Code, is amended by
  adding Section 8504.0021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 8504.0021.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The
  authority is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code
  (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter.
  The review shall be conducted under Section 325.025, Government
  Code, as if the authority were a state agency scheduled to be
  abolished September 1, 2021, and every 12th year after that year.
         (b)  The authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 10.  NUECES RIVER AUTHORITY. Chapter 427, Acts of
  the 44th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1935, is amended by
  adding Section 1.02A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1.02A.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The authority
  is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas
  Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter. The
  review shall be conducted under Section 325.025, Government Code,
  as if the authority were a state agency scheduled to be abolished
  September 1, 2019, and every 12th year after that year.
         (b)  The authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 11.  PALO DURO RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS. Chapter
  438, Acts of the 63rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1973, is
  amended by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The Authority is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the Authority were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2017, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The Authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the Authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 12.  RED RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS. Chapter 279, Acts
  of the 56th Legislature, Regular Session, 1959, is amended by
  adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The Authority is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the Authority were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2019, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The Authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the Authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 13.  SABINE RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS.  Chapter 110,
  Acts of the 51st Legislature, Regular Session, 1949, is amended by
  adding Section 2A to read as follows:
         Sec. 2A.  (a)  The district is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the district were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2021, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The district shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the district shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 14.  BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY.  Chapter 8502, Special
  District Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8502.0021 to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 8502.0021.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The
  authority is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code
  (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter.
  The review shall be conducted under Section 325.025, Government
  Code, as if the authority were a state agency scheduled to be
  abolished September 1, 2021, and every 12th year after that year.
         (b)  The authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 15.  SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY.  Chapter 276, Acts
  of the 45th Legislature, Regular Session, 1937, is amended by
  adding Section 1-a to read as follows:
         Sec. 1-a.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  (a)  The District is
  subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset
  Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter. The review shall
  be conducted under Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the
  District were a state agency scheduled to be abolished September 1,
  2023, and every 12th year after that year.
         (b)  The District shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the District shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 16.  SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY.  Chapter 426, Acts
  of the 45th Legislature, Regular Session, 1937, is amended by
  adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The District is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the District were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2021, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The District shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the District shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 17.  SULPHUR RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY.  Sections 1A(a)
  and (c), Chapter 3, Acts of the 69th Legislature, 1st Called
  Session, 1985, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The authority is subject to review under Chapter 325,
  Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under
  that chapter [as if it were a state agency]. The review shall be
  conducted under Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the
  authority were a state agency scheduled to be abolished September
  1, 2017, and every 12th year after that year [Unless the authority
  is continued in existence, the authority is abolished and this Act
  expires September 1, 2017].
         (c)  The authority shall pay the costs incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the [a] review [of the authority
  under this section]. The Sunset Advisory Commission shall
  determine the costs, and the authority shall pay the amount
  promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the costs.
         SECTION 18.  TRINITY RIVER AUTHORITY OF TEXAS.  Chapter 518,
  Acts of the 54th Legislature, Regular Session, 1955, is amended by
  adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The Authority is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the Authority were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2023, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The Authority shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the Authority shall pay
  the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset
  Advisory Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 19.  UPPER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY. Chapter 126,
  General Laws, Acts of the 44th Legislature, Regular Session, 1935,
  is amended by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The District is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the District were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2017, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The District shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the District shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 20.  UPPER GUADALUPE RIVER AUTHORITY. Chapter 5,
  page 1062, Special Laws, Acts of the 46th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 1939, is amended by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
         Sec. 1A.  (a)  The District is subject to review under
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
  abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
  Section 325.025, Government Code, as if the District were a state
  agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2021, and every 12th
  year after that year.
         (b)  The District shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
  Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
  Commission shall determine the cost, and the District shall pay the
  amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
  Commission detailing the cost.
         SECTION 21.  REPEALER.  Sections 1A(b) and (d), Chapter 3,
  Acts of the 69th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1985, are
  repealed.
         SECTION 22.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 523 passed the Senate on
  April 9, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
  May 27, 2015, Senate refused to concur in House amendment and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 28, 2015, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2015, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 31,
  Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 523 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 23, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 139,
  Nays 1, two present not voting; May 28, 2015, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 31, 2015, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 2, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor