Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2474

Filed
 
Out of Senate Committee
4/14/09  
Voted on by Senate
4/23/09  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to changes in the territory, board of directors, and water use fees of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

Impact

The proposed changes to the board's composition and the requirement for a ratification election reflect an effort to maintain local control and ensure that the administration of aquifer-related issues is transparent and democratic. This may lead to more localized decision-making in terms of water resource management and conservation within the affected communities. Additionally, the bill outlines new boundaries for voting districts that are intended to better match local demographic changes following federal censuses, which could also influence local governance.

Summary

SB2474 addresses changes in the territory, board of directors, and water use fees of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. The bill aims to amend existing statutes in the Special District Local Laws Code to reflect updated governance structures, including the composition and election process of the district's board. Specifically, the bill stipulates the expansion of the board from five to seven directors, ensuring that three must be elected by voters residing in the newly annexed territories, and four by the general voters of the district, thus enhancing local representation.

Contention

Notably, the bill's provisions regarding the water use fee structure could generate some contention. As it allows the board to assess water use fees against the City of Austin (capped at $900,000 or 60 percent of the expected total funding from users), stakeholders may debate the impact of such fees on local budgets and water usage regulations. Some may view this as a necessary mechanism to fund conservation efforts, while others could argue it places an unfair financial burden on certain municipalities.

Future considerations

Overall, SB2474 reflects the ongoing efforts to adapt the governance of conservation districts in Texas to local needs and environmental concerns. The bill's passage could set important precedents for how similar districts are managed in the future, particularly concerning community involvement, resource management, and financial expectations.

Companion Bills

TX HB4729

Identical Relating to changes in the territory, board of directors, and water use fees of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

Previously Filed As

TX SB1745

Relating to the equalization of the rates of production fees charged on certain wells by the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District; authorizing an increase in the rate of the fee.

TX HB2900

Relating to the powers, duties, and use of funds of the Trinity Bay Conservation District.

TX HB5025

Relating to the boundaries of the single-member districts for and vacancies on the board of directors of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.

TX HB5410

Relating to the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority; affecting the qualifications of a member of the board of directors of the authority.

TX SB2617

Relating to the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority; affecting the qualifications of a member of the board of directors of the authority.

TX HB5409

Relating to the board of directors and duties of the Gulf Coast Protection District.

TX SB1056

Relating to the directors and administration of the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3.

TX SB962

Relating to the effect of a change in the boundaries of the single-member districts from which the members of the board of directors of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District are elected.

TX SB2521

Relating to the powers, authorities, duties, and responsibilities of certain conservation and reclamation districts.

TX HB2815

Relating to the powers, authorities, duties, and responsibilities of certain conservation and reclamation districts and to notice a person who proposes to sell or convey real property located in any of certain conservation and reclamation districts must provide to a prospective purchaser of that property.

Similar Bills

TX HB4729

Relating to changes in the territory, board of directors, and water use fees of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

TX SB1440

Relating to the territory, jurisdiction, board composition, elections, and powers of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, including its authority to regulate certain wells for the production of groundwater; imposing a cap on certain fees.

TX HB3405

Relating to the territory, jurisdiction, and powers of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, including its authority to regulate certain wells for the production of groundwater; imposing a cap on certain fees.

TX HB2640

Relating to the creation of the Western Travis County Groundwater Conservation District; providing general law authority to issue bonds and exercise the power of eminent domain; providing general law authority to impose assessments, fees, surcharges, or taxes.

TX HB4038

Relating to the creation of the Western Travis County Groundwater Conservation District; providing general law authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose fees.

CA AB1924

Sacramento Regional Transit District.

TX SB1870

Relating to the creation of the West Fort Bend Water Authority; providing authority to issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain; providing an administrative penalty.

TX SB1350

Relating to land excluded from the Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area.