Bill Text: TX HB4757 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed


Bill Title: Relating to the regulatory authority over certain water bodies.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 18-9)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-05-01 - Left pending in committee [HB4757 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4757-Engrossed.html
 
 
  By: Orr, Ashby, Harris of Anderson, Bonnen, H.B. No. 4757
      Burrows, et al.
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulatory authority over certain water bodies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended
  by adding Section 11.1274 to read as follows:
         Sec. 11.1274.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT: APPROVAL OF
  APPROPRIATION FROM CERTAIN WATER BODIES. (a)  The commission may
  not approve an application for a new or amended water right
  authorizing an appropriation of water from Big Brown Creek or
  Fairfield Lake in the Trinity River basin of Freestone County
  unless the application:
               (1)  has first been approved by the Parks and Wildlife
  Commission; and
               (2)  provides for the preservation of the historical
  public access to and uses, water levels, and water quality of
  Fairfield Lake.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, on request of the Parks
  and Wildlife Commission, the commission:
               (1)  shall assume complete regulatory authority over
  Big Brown Creek and Fairfield Lake in the Trinity River basin of
  Freestone County; and
               (2)  may seek injunctive relief to provide for the
  preservation of the historical public access to and uses, water
  levels, and water quality of Fairfield Lake.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a
  new or amended water right for which an application is pending
  before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on the
  effective date of this Act or is filed with the commission on or
  after that date.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2023.
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