Texas Senate Bill SB2440

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/30/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/5/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/22/09
• Voted on by House: 5/27/09

Caption

Relating to the Bexar Metropolitan Water District.

Impact

The bill mandates the appointment of a conservator to manage the district's operations until its governance can be deemed rehabilitated and capable of functioning in a professional manner. This conservatorship is to remain until the district can satisfy the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regarding its compliance with management and operational standards. The mechanisms outlined in the bill facilitate a structured approach towards rehabilitation, focusing on ethics, operational efficiency, and proper management practices, thereby directly affecting the regulatory frameworks surrounding water services in Texas.

Summary

SB2440 is a legislative act concerning the Bexar Metropolitan Water District, aimed at establishing an oversight mechanism and enforcing stricter management within the district. The bill has been introduced in response to significant findings regarding mismanagement, unethical conduct, and challenges associated with service reliability and financial integrity within the district. The legislation highlights a need for improved governance to support the district's ability to meet the growing water supply needs of the community, considering recent audits revealing noncompliance and unsatisfactory management practices by district officials.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the authority given to the conservator, which permits intervention in the district’s operations significantly. Potential opponents may challenge the necessity of state intervention as excessive or intrusive. Furthermore, discussions around the eventual dissolution of the district, contingent upon voter approval, resonate as a critical debate point among constituents concerned with potential impacts on local governance and service levels. The juxtaposition of state oversight against local control remains a pivotal issue within the scope of this legislation.