Texas House Bill HB4762

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09
• Voted on by House: 5/5/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/12/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/21/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/23/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the territory of and the validation of certain governmental acts and proceedings of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.

Impact

By validating previously issued permits related to water withdrawals as specified by the law, House Bill 4762 is expected to have implications for water resource management in the covered counties, including Bexar, Medina, and Uvalde. The bill assures that certain permits which were in effect prior to this bill's passage remain valid and enforceable, streamlining the regulatory framework for those entities operating under the EAA's rules. With the amendments to territory definitions, the EAA can continue to enforce and manage regional water resources with more clarity.

Summary

House Bill 4762 relates to the territory of and the validation of certain governmental acts and proceedings of the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). This legislation is aimed at amending existing statutes regarding the EAA's jurisdiction, particularly regarding the boundaries that define the authority's operational scope. The bill effectively clarifies which geographical areas fall under the oversight of the EAA and addresses how certain governmental acts enacted by the authority are validated.

Contention

While proponents of the bill may see the validation of governmental acts as a necessary step to ensure consistent management and regulation of water resources, there may be concerns about how this centralizes authority in the EAA while potentially limiting local oversight or adaptive management practices. Depending on community impacts, stakeholders may voice either support for the streamlining of regulations or opposition if they perceive it to undermine local governance or environmental protections.