LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 9, 2017 TO: Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB1392 by Perry (Relating to groundwater conservation districts.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would make a number of changes to groundwater management activities of groundwater conservation districts (GCDs). According to Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the bill would impact the type of information provided by TWDB to GCDs for preparation of groundwater management plans. TWDB reports that by removing the inclusion of aquifer uses or conditions within the management area and socioeconomic impacts in the groundwater management areas' consideration in developing desired future conditions, the bill also removes those considerations from the TWDB's scientific and technical analysis in the case of a petition challenging the desired future conditions. According to TWDB, the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources and no significant fiscal impact is anticipated. Local Government Impact According to the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, the fiscal impact to GCDs is anticipated to be significant under the provisions of the bill. According to the Panhandle GCD, the bill would result in significant costs to the GCD, estimated to be $60,000 for additional staff, board member time and travel, and hydrologist consultant and legal fees. According to the Red River GCD, no fiscal impact to the GCD is anticipated. Source Agencies:580 Water Development Board LBB Staff: UP, SZ, JJ, PM, JGA, BM LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 9, 2017 TO: Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB1392 by Perry (Relating to groundwater conservation districts.), As Introduced TO: Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1392 by Perry (Relating to groundwater conservation districts.), As Introduced Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board SB1392 by Perry (Relating to groundwater conservation districts.), As Introduced SB1392 by Perry (Relating to groundwater conservation districts.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would make a number of changes to groundwater management activities of groundwater conservation districts (GCDs). According to Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the bill would impact the type of information provided by TWDB to GCDs for preparation of groundwater management plans. TWDB reports that by removing the inclusion of aquifer uses or conditions within the management area and socioeconomic impacts in the groundwater management areas' consideration in developing desired future conditions, the bill also removes those considerations from the TWDB's scientific and technical analysis in the case of a petition challenging the desired future conditions. According to TWDB, the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources and no significant fiscal impact is anticipated. Local Government Impact According to the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, the fiscal impact to GCDs is anticipated to be significant under the provisions of the bill. According to the Panhandle GCD, the bill would result in significant costs to the GCD, estimated to be $60,000 for additional staff, board member time and travel, and hydrologist consultant and legal fees. According to the Red River GCD, no fiscal impact to the GCD is anticipated. Source Agencies: 580 Water Development Board 580 Water Development Board LBB Staff: UP, SZ, JJ, PM, JGA, BM UP, SZ, JJ, PM, JGA, BM