Texas House Bill HB1852

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/5/11

Caption

Relating to the applicability to certain regional water districts of provisions concerning bond approval by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Impact

The impact of HB1852 is significant as it modifies existing law to create exemptions for particular regional water districts concerning bond approval. This change is expected to facilitate easier funding for necessary water infrastructure in districts meeting the stated requirements, thus promoting local water management efforts. By reducing the requirements for bond approval, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of regional districts in managing and providing water services. The implications extend to more robust support for water infrastructure projects without the extensive regulatory hurdles previously required.

Summary

House Bill 1852 addresses the applicability of certain provisions related to bond approval specifically for regional water districts in Texas. The bill proposes amendments to Section 49.181 of the Water Code, which now exempts certain regional water districts from needing bond approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality if they meet specific criteria. These criteria include factors such as the district's boundaries, whether it was created by special legislation, the zoning of properties within the district, and its governance structure. This change aims to streamline the process for these districts and potentially reduce bureaucratic barriers to financing for water-related projects.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB1852 may revolve around concerns that exempting certain districts from bond approval could lead to less oversight and accountability in how these bodies manage their financial authority and water resources. Critics might argue that this could result in abuses of power or mismanagement without the requisite checks that bond approval processes provide. Additionally, there could be debates on whether the criteria set forth in the bill effectively encompass all necessary districts or if they create a loophole that certain districts could exploit to bypass critical regulations.