Relating to renaming the Corn Hill Regional Water Authority as the Lone Star Regional Water Authority; altering the governing body's membership.
Impact
The passage of HB 4187 has implications for the management and governance of regional water resources in Texas. By restructuring the membership of the water authority, the bill ensures a more manageable and possibly more responsive governance model. The requirement for a 75% affirmative vote by existing directors to implement these changes also speaks to the necessity of collaborative governance amongst member entities, potentially fostering more unified decision-making.
Summary
House Bill 4187 proposes the renaming of the Corn Hill Regional Water Authority to the Lone Star Regional Water Authority and amends the governing body's membership structure. This legislation aims to streamline the governance of the water authority, which includes modifications in how members are appointed. Notably, the bill stipulates that if the number of member entities exceeds five, each entity shall appoint only one director, which is a departure from the previous structure where each could appoint two directors. This adjustment is designed to facilitate efficient decision-making within the authority.
Sentiment
The general sentiment surrounding HB 4187 appears to be positive, as indicated by its unanimous passage through the House with a vote of 139 yeas to 0 nays. Legislators recognized the need for modernizing the structure of the regional water authority to better meet the challenges of water management in Texas. This supportive sentiment reflects a shared understanding of the importance of governance efficiency in managing vital resources such as water.
Contention
Despite the bill's swift approval, there may be underlying contentions regarding the representation of member entities in the authority with reduced director appointments. Opponents of such restructuring might argue that limiting representation could dilute the interests of smaller member entities in decision-making processes. However, these concerns do not appear to have significantly impacted the bill's passage, indicating a consensus on the need for governance reform.
Relating to the creation of the Cross Timbers Regional Utility Authority; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments and fees.
Relating to the procedure by which a regional water planning group is required to make the regional water plan prepared by the group available for public inspection.