Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Texas House Bill HB3924

Filed
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the creation of the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or surcharges.

Impact

The bill's implementation will introduce a framework for establishing a conservation district designed to carefully manage and conserve groundwater in a region susceptible to water scarcity issues. It will facilitate the assessment and management of groundwater usage and quality by allowing the newly formed district to set rules and impose fees related to water extraction. The production fee, capped at $30 per acre-foot, intends to ensure that the costs of managing the district are adequately covered while promoting sustainable groundwater use among residents.

Summary

House Bill 3924 establishes the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District in Texas, aiming to address groundwater management and conservation within Comal County. The bill provides the district with the authority to issue bonds, as well as the ability to impose various fees and surcharges to facilitate its operations. It emphasizes the importance of local management of groundwater resources and envisions a structured governance model with a board of directors overseeing the district. Notably, citizens are empowered to elect these directors to ensure community representation in the management of local groundwater resources.

Contention

One significant point of contention arises from the requirement for a confirmation election. The district's creation is contingent upon obtaining majority approval from local voters; if this approval is not secured by specific deadlines, the district risks dissolution. Additionally, while the bill allows for a governance structure focused on local needs, concerns may be raised about the sufficiency of oversight and accountability for managing the district's activities, especially regarding bonds, fees, and the effectiveness of water management strategies. Nonetheless, the bill has garnered overwhelming preliminary support in the initial voting stages.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX SB2570

Relating to the creation of the Webb County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to impose fees.

TX HB5401

Relating to the creation of the Webb County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to impose fees.

TX HB5372

Relating to the creation of The Grand Prairie Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX SB2611

Relating to the creation of the Northeast Houston Redevelopment District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments or fees.

TX HB5375

Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Management District No. 2; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX SB2594

Relating to the creation of the Liberty County Management District No. 2; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX HB5351

Relating to the creation of the Liberty County Management District No. 2; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX HB5400

Relating to the creation of the Presidio International Port Authority District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX SB2614

Relating to the creation of the Presidio International Port Authority District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX HB5403

Relating to the creation of the Manvel Sports Facilities District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

Similar Bills

TX HB2794

Relating to the creation of the Calhoun County Groundwater Conservation District.

TX SB1290

Relating to the creation of the Calhoun County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to issue bonds.

TX HB4808

Relating to the creation of the Calhoun County Groundwater Conservation District.

TX SB726

Relating to the creation of the Harrison County and Prairielands Groundwater Conservation Districts; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds and granting a limited power of eminent domain.

TX SB1360

Relating to the creation of the Aransas County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to issue bonds and impose a tax; providing general law authority to impose fees and surcharges.

TX HB4207

Relating to the creation of the Aransas County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to issue bonds and impose a tax; providing general law authority to impose fees and surcharges.