Texas Senate Bill SB693

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/14/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/31/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/7/11
• Refer: 2/23/11
• Out of House Committee: 4/26/11
• Report Pass: 3/31/11
• Voted on by House: 4/29/11
• Engrossed: 4/7/11
• Governor Action: 5/12/11
• Refer: 4/14/11
• Report Pass: 4/19/11
• Enrolled: 4/29/11
• Passed: 5/12/11

Caption

Relating to permit application and amendment hearings conducted by groundwater conservation districts and the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Impact

The bill is expected to have a considerable impact on how disputes related to groundwater permits are resolved in Texas. By requiring that hearings can be managed by SOAH when requested, the bill minimizes inconsistencies in the application and adjudication processes across various groundwater districts. This change is likely to enhance transparency and fairness in hearings, as the involvement of an independent body such as SOAH may reduce local biases. Furthermore, it addresses the need for expedient hearings in light of increasing demands on water resources in the state.

Summary

SB693 seeks to amend various provisions within the Texas Water Code governing the procedures for permit application and amendment hearings carried out by groundwater conservation districts and the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). This legislation aims to streamline the process by providing specific guidelines on how these hearings should be conducted, potentially increasing efficiency and reducing the backlog of permit applications. One of the significant changes includes allowing districts to contract with SOAH for conducting hearings, thereby ensuring a more standardized approach to adjudication across different jurisdictions.

Contention

However, the bill faced some points of contention among stakeholders. Critics have voiced concerns about the administrative burden placed on applicants, particularly regarding the financial obligations to cover the costs for hearings when they must contract with SOAH. Additionally, there are worries that this move may overly centralize decisions about local water resource management, limiting the autonomy of local groundwater conservation districts to govern based on specific regional needs. Thus, while SB693 is intended to streamline the process, it has generated debate on how these procedural changes will affect local governance and resource management.