BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1745
88R4588 ANG-F	By: Perry
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	3/31/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties note a disparity in the groundwater production fees the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (district) is authorized to assess for certain wells that are required to obtain a permit from the district for non-agricultural uses. S.B. 1745 seeks to equalize the rates of production fees charged on certain wells by the district by providing for an increase in the annual production fee for certain wells.

As proposed, S.B. 1745 amends current law relating to the equalization of the rates of production fees charged on certain wells by the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and authorizes an increase in the rate of the fee.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 8802.1045(g), Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

(g) Prohibits the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (district), notwithstanding Subsection (b) (relating to authorizing the board of directors of the district to charge, for certain permits, for the amount of a certain amount of water, an annual production fee of a certain amount), before September 1, 2023, from charging an annual production fee of more than 17 cents per thousand gallons of water authorized to be produced under a permit from a well under this subsection, if the water is permitted for any use other than agricultural use. Authorizes the district to increase the annual production fee under this subsection by not more than 10 cents per thousand gallons per year beginning on September 1, 2023, for water permitted for nonagricultural purposes, until the annual production fee is equal to the maximum amount set forth in Subsection (b).

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.