Texas House Bill HB4743

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09

Caption

Relating to the creation of the Terrell County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds.

Impact

The establishment of the Terrell County Groundwater Conservation District is expected to play a significant role in local water management. It allows for tailored regulations that could help preserve groundwater resources in an area that may face challenges related to water scarcity and environmental conservation. By empowering the district to impose taxes (limited to a maximum of 1.5 cents per $100 valuation of taxable property) and to issue bonds (capped at $500,000), the bill provides a framework for financial sustainability that will support ongoing groundwater conservation efforts.

Summary

House Bill 4743 proposes the creation of the Terrell County Groundwater Conservation District, which aims to manage and regulate groundwater resources within Terrell County, Texas. The bill grants the newly formed district the authority to impose certain taxes and issue bonds to fund its operations. This is an essential step in ensuring sustainable water management practices, especially in regions where groundwater is a critical resource for both agricultural and industrial use.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB 4743 could arise from the implications of taxation and the governance structure of the conservation district. While some stakeholders may support such measures as necessary for the management of precious water resources, others could argue against the taxation authority and the potential for overreach by this new entity. The bill outlines a board of directors comprised of elected individuals representing different interests, which could lead to debates regarding representation and decision-making processes in water resource management.