Relating to a study of the availability and sustainability of groundwater in the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; providing funds for the study.
The bill permits the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District to charge a groundwater conservation and management fee of $2 per month to be collected from customers of groundwater suppliers. This fee serves as a funding mechanism for the study, ensuring that there are adequate resources to assess groundwater conditions comprehensively. In addition to finance provision, the district must report to the Commissioners Court of Hays County about the fee collection and its usage, promoting transparency and accountability.
Senate Bill 2530 pertains to a study on the availability and sustainability of groundwater resources within the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. The bill mandates that this district conduct a comprehensive study aimed at evaluating how much groundwater is accessible and how sustainable this resource is for long-term use. Groundwater suppliers, defined as water supply corporations or special districts operating wells that produce over 25,000 gallons of groundwater daily, will play a pivotal role in this study as the bill outlines their responsibilities regarding fee collection for the study's funding.
A notable point within the bill is the stipulation that if the district collects more than $100,000 in fees in a year, it is required to return the excess to the groundwater suppliers, who must then rebate customers. This can be seen both as a safeguard for consumers and as a measure to maintain an equitable fee structure. The potential expiration of the fee collection after two years also raises questions about ongoing funding and study continuity, which may be points of contention within legislative discussions.
Overall, SB2530 seeks to solidify the management and understanding of groundwater resources in a specific part of Texas, recognizing the increasing pressures on water availability in various regions. The outcome of this bill may directly affect water policy and resource management strategies, particularly in areas facing challenges related to water supply and quality.