TITLE 31.NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

Part 2. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Chapter 65. WILDLIFE

Subchapter T. SCIENTIFIC BREEDER'S PERMITS

31 TAC §65.602, §65.603

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts amendments to §65.602 and §65.603, concerning Scientific Breeder's Permits, without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 21, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1608).

The amendment to §65.602, concerning Permit Requirement and Permit Privileges, is necessary to provide a minimum assurance that deer released to the wild from scientific breeder facilities are free of chronic wasting disease. By limiting such releases to herds covered by a valid herd health plan approved by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), or to deer meeting the entry requirements of the TAHC, the department believes it has adequately addressed the concern that unrestricted releases represent a potential disease vector to wild populations.

The amendment to §65.603, concerning Application and Permit Issuance, is necessary to enable wardens and biologists to accurately track the numbers and location of white-tailed deer in or originating from scientific breeder facilities. By requiring an accurate, current graphical representation of the physical layout of a facility, the department believes that its ability to obtain accurate verification of inventory is enhanced and expedited.

The amendment to §65.603, concerning Application and Permit Issuance will function by prohibiting the release of scientific breeder deer to the wild unless the deer are released directly from a herd covered by a current, valid herd health plan approved by Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) or the deer meet the interstate entry requirements for deer established by TAHC.

The amendment to §65.602 will function by requiring permittees who enlarge existing pens or add new pens to a facility to submit a diagram of the additions or enlargements prior to placing deer in them.

The department received one comment in support of adoption of the proposed rules. The Texas Deer Association commented in support of adoption of the proposed rules.

The amendments are adopted under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 43, Subchapter L, which authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Commission to establish regulations governing the possession of white-tailed and mule deer for scientific, management, and propagation purposes.

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 April 17, 2003.

TRD-200302523

Gene McCarty

Chief of Staff

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: May 7, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 21, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Part 10. TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Chapter 363. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The Texas Water Development Board (board) adopts amendments to 31 TAC §§363.11, 363.33, 363.42, 363.931 and 363.1017, concerning Financial Assistance Programs and the assignment of specific duties to the development fund manager without changes to the proposed amendments as published in the March 7, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2034) and will not be republished. References in §§363.11, 363.33, 363.42, 363.931, and 363.1017 to the "development fund manager" have been changed to "executive administrator" to accurately reflect the assignment of certain responsibilities as a result of a recent reorganization of Board offices.

The amendment to §363.11 will designate the executive administrator, not the development fund manager, as the appropriate contact for scheduling a pre-application conference. Amendments to §363.33 are adopted to give the executive administrator the responsibility to set interest rates for loans and purchase of Board interest in state participation projects. Amendments to §363.42 and §363.931 are adopted to designate the executive administrator to accept escrow account statements related to a bond resolution or ordinance. Amendment to §363.1017 will give the executive administrator the authority to consent to the annual payment of administrative cost recovery fees for the State Participation Program. These tasks are more appropriately vested with the executive administrator as the head of the agency and may be delegated at his discretion.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

2. GENERAL APPLICATION PROCEDURES

31 TAC §363.11

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.909.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter 0; Chapter 16, Subchapters E and F; and Chapter 17, Subchapters D, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302495

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


3. FORMAL ACTION BY THE BOARD

31 TAC §363.33

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.909.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter 0; Chapter 16, Subchapters E and F; and Chapter 17, Subchapters D, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302496

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


4. PREREQUISITES TO RELEASE OF STATE FUNDS

31 TAC §363.42

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.909.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter 0; Chapter 16, Subchapters E and F; and Chapter 17, Subchapters D, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302497

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Subchapter I. PILOT PROGRAM FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER LOANS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

3. CLOSING AND RELEASE OF FUNDS

31 TAC §363.931

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.909.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter 0; Chapter 16, Subchapters E and F; and Chapter 17, Subchapters D, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302498

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Subchapter J. STATE PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

31 TAC §363.1017

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.909.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter 0; Chapter 16, Subchapters E and F; and Chapter 17, Subchapters D, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302499

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Chapter 367. AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM

Subchapter B. AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION LOAN PROGRAM

31 TAC §367.44, §367.45

The Texas Water Development Board (the board) adopts amendments to §367.44 and §367.45, concerning the Agricultural Water Conservation Program and the assignment of specific duties to the development fund manager without changes to the proposed amendments as published in the March 7, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2039) and will not be republished. References in §367.44 and §367.45 to the "development fund manager" have been changed to "executive administrator" to accurately reflect the assignment of certain responsibilities as a result of a recent reorganization of Board offices.

Amendments to §367.44 are adopted to give the executive administrator the responsibility to set and extend interest rates for loans from the ag trust fund. Amendment to §367.45 is adopted to designate the executive administrator as the source for guidelines with which applications for agricultural loans must be consistent. These tasks are more appropriately vested with the executive administrator as the head of the agency and may be delegated at his discretion.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

Statutory authority: Water Code §6.101 and §17.903.

Cross Reference to Statute: Chapter 17, Subchapter J.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302500

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Chapter 371. DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND

The Texas Water Development Board (the board) adopts amendments to 31 TAC §371.52 and §371.71 concerning the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program and the assignment of specific duties to the development fund manager without changes to the proposed amendments as published in the March 7, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2040) and will not be republished. References in §371.52 and §371.71 to the "development fund manager" have been changed to "executive administrator" to accurately reflect the assignment of certain responsibilities as a result of a recent reorganization of Board offices.

Amendments to §371.52 are adopted to give the executive administrator the responsibility to set and extend interest rates for loans from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Amendment to §371.71 is adopted to designate the executive administrator to accept escrow account statements related to a bond resolution or ordinance. These tasks are more appropriately vested with the executive administrator as the head of the agency and may be delegated at his discretion.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

Subchapter D. BOARD ACTION ON APPLICATION

31 TAC §371.52

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.605.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter J.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302501

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Subchapter F. PREREQUISITES TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

31 TAC §371.71

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.605.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter J.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302502

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Chapter 375. CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND

The Texas Water Development Board (the board) adopts amendment to 31 TAC §§375.52, 375.71, and 375.222 concerning the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the assignment of specific duties to the development fund manager without changes to the proposed amendments as published in the March 7, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2041) and will not be republished. References in §§375.52, 375.71, and 375.222 to the "development fund manager" have been changed to "executive administrator" to accurately reflect the assignment of certain responsibilities as a result of a recent reorganization of Board offices.

Amendments to §375.52 and §375.222 are adopted to give the executive administrator the responsibility to set interest rates for loans from the Board's Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The amendment to §375.71 will designate the executive administrator to accept escrow account statements related to a bond resolution or ordinance. These tasks are more appropriately vested with the executive administrator as the head of the agency and may be delegated at his discretion.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

4. BOARD ACTION ON APPLICATIONS

31 TAC §375.52

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.605.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter J and Chapter 17, Subchapters C, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302503

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


6. PREREQUISITES TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

31 TAC §375.71

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.605.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter J and Chapter 17, Subchapters C, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302504

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Subchapter B. PROVISIONS RELATING TO USE OF CAPITALIZATION GRANT FUNDS

3. PREREQUISITES TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

31 TAC §375.222

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.605.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter J and Chapter 17, Subchapters C, E, and F.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302505

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Chapter 382. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Subchapter A. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

31 TAC §382.5

The Texas Water Development Board (Board) adopts amendments to 31 TAC §382.5 concerning the Water Infrastructure Fund and the assignment of specific duties to the development fund manager without changes to the proposed amendments as published in the March 7, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2043) and will not be republished. References in §382.5 to the "development fund manager" have been changed to "executive administrator" to accurately reflect the assignment of certain responsibilities as a result of a recent reorganization of Board offices.

Amendments to §382.5 are adopted to give the executive administrator the responsibility to set interest rates for loans from the Water Infrastructure Fund. These tasks are more appropriately vested with the executive administrator as the head of the agency and may be delegated at his discretion.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and §15.907.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter O.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302506

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981


Chapter 384. RURAL WATER ASSISTANCE FUND

Subchapter A. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

31 TAC §384.5

The Texas Water Development Board (board) adopts amendments to 31 TAC §384.5 concerning the Rural Water Assistance Fund and the assignment of specific duties to the development fund manager without changes to the proposed amendments as published in the March 7, 2003 issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2043) and will not be republished. References in §384.5 to the "development fund manager" have been changed to "executive administrator" to accurately reflect the assignment of certain responsibilities as a result of a recent reorganization of Board offices.

Amendments to §384.5 are adopted to give the executive administrator the responsibility to set interest rates for loans from the Rural Water Assistance Fund. These tasks are more appropriately vested with the executive administrator as the head of the agency and may be delegated at his discretion.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

Statutory authority: Water Code, §6.101 and Chapter 15, Subchapter P.

Cross reference to statute: Water Code, Chapter 15, Subchapter P.

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 April 16, 2003.

TRD-200302507

Suzanne Schwartz

General Counsel

Texas Water Development Board

Effective date: May 6, 2003

Proposal publication date: March 7, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7981