Part 10.
TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Chapter 353.
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
Subchapter G. TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS
31 TAC §353.100, §353.101
The Texas Water Development Board (board) adopts new 31 TAC §353.100
and §353.101 concerning Introductory Provisions. Section 353.100 and §353.101
are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the November
30, 2001 issue of the
Texas Register
(26 TexReg
9665) and will not be republished. These new sections are adopted in response
to Senate Bill 312, 77th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2001.
First, the board adopts these new sections into a new subchapter, Subchapter
G, relating to Texas Natural Resources Information System Partnerships. This
is to properly organize these new rules in the chapter.
The board adopts new §353.100 to comply with Texas Water Code §16.021(b),
which was amended by Senate Bill 312 to authorize the executive administrator
to enter partnerships with private entities to provide additional funding
for improved access to Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS)
information. Section 353.100 authorizes the executive administrator to enter
partnerships with private entities that provide services related to TNRIS
goals and responsibilities. These partnerships will allow the entities to
have their information and a hyperlink to their web site posted on the TNRIS
web site. TNRIS is a division of the board that serves as the state's centralized
clearinghouse and referral center for natural resource, census, and other
socioeconomic data. As such, it is the starting place for citizens wanting
natural resource data. There are several private entities that provide services
that add value to the data maintained by TNRIS. Providing links to and information
on these entities to TNRIS customers, through the TNRIS web site, will enable
customers to obtain all of the data and services they desire. It will also
raise funds for TNRIS by charging each entity a fee for having its information
and link posted on the TNRIS web site. Senate Bill 312 amended Texas Water
Code §16.021(b) to allow the executive administrator to enter partnerships
specifically designed to raise more funds for TNRIS, which will be used to
improve access to TNRIS information. These partnerships will only be entered
with entities that have been determined to provide services that are related
to TNRIS goals and responsibilities. The partnerships will be created through
a written agreement that lasts one year but which can be renewed upon request.
The charge for posting a partner's information and hyperlink on the TNRIS
web site will be determined by the executive administrator, upon board approval.
The board adopts new §353.101, which is also intended to comply with
Texas Water Code §16.021(b). This new section allows the executive administrator,
with board authorization, to enter partnerships with private entities that
wish to form a relationship with the board to pass donations from donors to
TNRIS. Some nonprofit corporations accept donations on behalf of other organizations
and provide some tax benefits to the donors. Senate Bill 312 amended Texas
Water Code §16.021(b) specifically to allow the executive administrator
to enter partnerships with private entities in order to raise additional funds
for TNRIS, which will be used to improve access to TNRIS information for the
public. By making it easier for donors to present gifts and grants to TNRIS,
the board will be following the instructions of Senate Bill 312.
All gifts and grants will be accepted pursuant to Subchapter F of Chapter
353, relating to The Relationship Between the Board and Donors. New §353.101
also allows the executive administrator, with board authorization, to enter
a partnership with a private entity in order to accept volunteer workers who
will perform labor for TNRIS. This is intended to comply with Texas Water
Code §16.021(b). This will allow private entities to lend workers to
TNRIS at no charge to the board. This will enable TNRIS to accomplish more
work without additional state resources, which will improve access to TNRIS
information for the public.
No comments were received on the proposed rules.
The new sections are adopted under the authority of Texas Water
Code §6.101 and §16.021.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on January 16, 2002.
TRD-200200221
Suzanne Schwartz
General Counsel
Texas Water Development Board
Effective date: February 5, 2002
Proposal publication date: November 30, 2001
For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981
Chapter 377.
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY PROGRAM