Relating to the powers of the North Fort Bend Water Authority.
Impact
The inclusion of legal recourse in the authority's toolkit represents a significant change in how local governments can interact with the authority. The waiver of sovereign immunity in the context of these legal acts means that local entities cannot use this protection to evade financial responsibilities to the authority. Consequently, this could lead to increased financial accountability for local entities and encourage better adherence to the authority's groundwater reduction plan.
Summary
Senate Bill 2514 focuses on augmenting the powers and enforcement capabilities of the North Fort Bend Water Authority. This legislation allows the authority to initiate legal actions against individuals, districts, or local governments within its jurisdiction to recover outstanding fees, rates, and charges. By doing so, the bill aims to provide the authority with more robust tools to ensure compliance with its regulations and manage water resources effectively.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding SB2514 is its imposition of legal actions on local governments, which may raise concerns about the autonomy of local entities. Critics may argue that this shift could infringe on local governance principles and create tensions between state mandates and local needs. Additionally, the specificity of water management regulations, particularly in an environmentally sensitive area, brings potential for pushback from environmental advocates focused on maintaining local control over water resources.
Relating to the creation of the Northeast Houston Redevelopment District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments or fees.
Relating to the creation of the Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 11; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
Relating to the powers of the Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 110; providing authority to impose a fee and impose fines and penalties.
Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Water Control and Improvement District No. 6; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
Relating to the creation of the Jones Avenue Municipal Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.
Relating to the powers and duties of the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 147; providing authority to issue bonds and impose fees and taxes.