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Senate Bill 2497 |
Senate Author: Estes et al. |
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Effective: 5-27-09 |
House Sponsor: Hardcastle |
Senate Bill 2497 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, subject to dissolution if not confirmed by voters before January 1, 2010. The bill grants to the district the general-law powers and duties of a groundwater conservation district, except as otherwise provided in the bill. The district is authorized to assess a production fee based on the amount of groundwater authorized by permit to be withdrawn from certain wells that may not exceed $1 per acre-foot annually for groundwater used for agricultural purposes or 30 cents per thousand gallons annually for groundwater used for nonagricultural purposes. Senate Bill 2497 sets out provisions relating to well spacing requirements and exemptions and authorizes the district to establish registration and reporting requirements for certain wells that are exempt from permitting under the Water Code, and to impose a fee in addition to the production fee for certain violations in lieu of or in addition to other available remedies. The district is prohibited from issuing bonds, imposing a tax, and exercising the power of eminent domain.