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House Bill 1498 |
House Author: Hopson |
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Effective: 6-15-07 |
Senate Sponsor: Eltife |
House Bill 1498 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District, coextensive with the boundaries of that county, subject to voter approval at a confirmation election. The bill authorizes the district to impose production fees on non-exempt wells, subject to specified maximum rates, as well as groundwater export fees. The bill limits ad valorem tax rates to not more than 1.5 cents per $100 valuation and sets a $500,000 limit on indebtedness from district bond and note issuances. A well drilled or operated in the district under a Railroad Commission of Texas permit is under the jurisdiction of that agency, and groundwater produced in an amount authorized by such a permit may be used or exported without a permit from the district. However, to the extent that groundwater is produced in excess of commission authorization, the holder of the commission permit must apply to the district for a permit for the excess production and becomes subject to applicable regulatory fees.