Texas House Bill HB2851

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of the Onion Creek Watershed Hays and Travis Counties Flood Control District No. 1; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to impose assessments and fees.

Impact

The bill specifically provisions the district to impose assessments and fees to manage flood control operations effectively. The authority for establishing such fees represents a shift in how flood control projects can be sustained financially, potentially impacting local property owners through these assessments. Furthermore, the district is granted limited powers of eminent domain, which would enable it to acquire necessary property for flood mitigation efforts, thus fulfilling its mandate. However, the district is also restricted from exercising broad powers of eminent domain concerning private or public land.

Summary

House Bill 2851 proposes the establishment of the Onion Creek Watershed Hays and Travis Counties Flood Control District No. 1. The bill aims to create a special district that is empowered to manage flood control measures within the Onion Creek Watershed area, positively impacting Hays and Travis counties. Its enactment would allow the district to exercise certain powers, including the development of plans and construction of facilities designed to mitigate flood hazards, thereby improving the overall safety of communities in the affected region.

Contention

While the bill sets forth important measures for flood control, it also raises questions about local governance and the allocation of control over land use. Critics may voice concerns regarding the imposition of assessments and the power dynamics within local government, particularly as it relates to the availability of resources for flood control projects. The creation of a district under this bill may change how local lands are managed and could spur debates about environmental impacts and property rights related to any potential land acquisition necessary for flood control efforts.