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Senate Bill 967 |
Senate Author: Fraser |
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Effective: 6-17-05 |
House Sponsor: Hupp |
Senate Bill 967 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District subject to dissolution if not confirmed by voters before September 1, 2007. If voters approve taxes, the bill sets an initial ad valorem tax rate of two cents per $100 valuation and a maximum rate of five cents. The district may require a permit for an activity that extracts groundwater or allows more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater a day to escape. Before granting a permit, the district must consider if the proposed use of water unreasonably affects surrounding landowners. A permit holder is subject to rules to conserve, preserve, protect, and recharge groundwater or a groundwater reservoir and its subdivisions. The bill prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.