H.B. No. 3618
AN ACT
relating to the timing of the expiration of water quality permits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 26.0135(d), Water Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) As required [In the appropriate year of the cycle
provided] by commission rules [adopted to implement Section
26.0285], each river authority shall submit a written summary
report to the commission, State Soil and Water Conservation Board,
and Parks and Wildlife Department on the water quality assessment
of the authority's watershed. The summary report must identify
concerns relating to the watershed or bodies of water, including an
identification of bodies of water with impaired or potentially
impaired uses, the cause and possible source of use impairment, and
recommended actions the commission may take to address those
concerns. The summary report must discuss the public benefits from
the water quality monitoring and assessment program, including
efforts to increase public input in activities related to water
quality and the effectiveness of targeted monitoring in assisting
the permitting process. A river authority shall submit a summary
report after the report has been approved by the basin steering
committee and coordinated with the public and the commission. A
river authority shall hold basin steering committee meetings and
shall invite users of water and wastewater permit holders in the
watershed who pay fees under Section 26.0291 to review the draft of
the work plans and summary report. A river authority shall inform
those parties of the availability and location of the summary
report for inspection and shall solicit input from those parties
concerning their satisfaction with or suggestions for modification
of the summary report for the watershed, the operation or
effectiveness of the watershed monitoring and assessment program
authorized by this section, and the adequacy, use, or equitable
apportionment of the program's costs and funds. A river authority
shall summarize all comments received from persons who pay fees
under Section 26.0291 and from steering committee members and shall
submit the report and the summaries to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives not later
than the 90th day after the date the river authority submits the
summary report to the commission and other agencies.
SECTION 2. Section 26.0285, Water Code, is repealed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3618 was passed by the House on April
27, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 3 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3618 was passed by the Senate on May
19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor