BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 2052

 

By: Nichols

 

Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

 

6/14/2023

 

Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District was created, authorized, and enacted by the passage of S.B. 1888 by the 78th Legislature, 2003. The district consists of four counties, Jasper, Newton, Hardin, and Tyler, and covers approximately 3,685 square miles. It is estimated to be the 11th largest groundwater district in Texas.

 

Since the district began collecting production fees, which is the source of revenue, it has maintained a rate of $0.07 per thousand gallons. Only recently has the district increased the production fee rate, to begin in the fourth quarter 2022. The new rate will be 1 cent per 1,000 gallons, the maximum it can charge. The district cannot levy a tax. The district has only one full�-time employee and no part-time employees.

 

S.B. 2052 would allow the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District to raise the production fee rate from 1 cent per 1,000 gallons to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons.

 

Other groundwater conservation districts throughout the state have production fees as high as 22 cents per 1,000 gallons. Nearby groundwater conservation districts have higher production fees (actual current fees�not maximum allowed by legislation): 

 

Southeast Texas GCD

 

currently 0.7 cents per 1,000 gallons

 

maximum

 

1 cent

Pinewoods GCD

currently 2.5 cents per 1,000 gallons

maximum

2.5 cents

Lower Trinity GCD

currently 4.0 cents per 1,000 gallons

maximum

5 cents

Lone Star GCD

currently 8.5 cents per 1,000 gallons

maximum

no max limit

Bluebonnet GCD

currently 4.5 cents per 1,000 gallons

maximum

17 cents

Brazoria County GCD

currently 3.0 cents per 1,000 gallon

maximum

17 cents

Prairielands GCD

currently 20 cents per 1,000 gallons

maximum

30 cents

Upper Trinity GCD

currently 22 cents per 1,000 gallons

maximum

30 cents

 

S.B. 2052 amends current law relating to permit fees for groundwater wells imposed by the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District.

 

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 8868.153, Special District Local Laws Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 8868.153. PERMIT FEES. (a)-(b) Makes no changes to these subsections.

 

(c) Prohibits the fee from exceeding seven cents per thousand gallons of groundwater withdrawn, rather than one cent per thousand gallons of groundwater withdrawn, for any purpose.

 

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