85R12232 SLB-D
By: Larson H.B. No. 4235
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the sunset review of certain groundwater conservation
districts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. SUNSET ACT. Chapter 325, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 325.026 to read as follows:
Sec. 325.026. GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS SUBJECT
TO REVIEW. (a) A groundwater conservation district listed in
Subsection (b) is subject to a limited review under this chapter as
if it were a state agency but may not be abolished.
(b) This section applies to the:
(1) Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District; and
(2) Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District.
(c) The limited review under this chapter must assess each
groundwater conservation district's:
(1) governance;
(2) management;
(3) operating structure; and
(4) compliance with legislative requirements.
(d) A groundwater conservation district reviewed by the
commission under this section may not be required to conduct a
management audit under Chapter 292, Title 30, Texas Administrative
Code.
SECTION 2. LONE STAR GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
Chapter 1321 (H.B. 2362), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2001, is amended by adding Section 1A to read as follows:
Sec. 1A. (a) The district is subject to review under
Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but may not be
abolished under that chapter. The review shall be conducted under
Section 325.026, Government Code, as if the district were a state
agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2019, and every 12th
year after that year.
(b) The district shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
Commission shall determine the cost, and the district shall pay the
amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
Commission detailing the cost.
SECTION 3. MIDDLE PECOS GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
Subchapter A, Chapter 8851, Special District Local Laws Code, is
amended by adding Section 8851.0015 to read as follows:
Sec. 8851.0015. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. (a) The
district is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code
(Texas Sunset Act), but may not be abolished under that chapter.
The review shall be conducted under Section 325.026, Government
Code, as if the district were a state agency scheduled to be
abolished September 1, 2019, and every 12th year after that year.
(b) The district shall pay the cost incurred by the Sunset
Advisory Commission in performing the review. The Sunset Advisory
Commission shall determine the cost, and the district shall pay the
amount promptly on receipt of a statement from the Sunset Advisory
Commission detailing the cost.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2017.