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Senate Bill 1290 |
Senate Author: Hegar |
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Effective: 9-1-11 |
House Sponsor: Hunter |
Senate Bill 1290 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Calhoun County Groundwater Conservation District, coextensive with the boundaries of Calhoun County and subject to dissolution if not confirmed by voters before December 31, 2016. The district is prohibited from denying the owner of a tract of land, or the owner's lessee, who does not have a well equipped to produce more than 25,000 gallons each day on the tract, either a permit to drill a well on the tract or the privilege to produce groundwater from the tract, subject to district rules. The district is authorized to assist in the mediation between landowners regarding the loss of existing groundwater supply of exempt domestic and livestock users due to the groundwater pumping of others. The district is prohibited from exercising the power of eminent domain. The bill authorizes the district's board of directors to impose a reasonable fee on each well for which a permit is issued by the district and that is not exempt from regulation by the district; establishes the bases for the well fee; authorizes the district to impose a reasonable fee or surcharge for an export fee; and establishes that the district is prohibited from imposing a tax and does not have the authority granted by certain provisions applicable to groundwater conservation districts relating to taxes.