Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1784, the Carrizo-Wilcox Groundwater Management Act, creates the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District in Milam and Burleson counties, and the Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District in Freestone, Leon, and Madison counties, and ratifies the creation of the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District in Robertson and Brazos counties, with the creation or ratification in each case being subject to voter approval at a confirmation election. All three districts are coextensive with their respective county boundaries. The act provides for the establishment of a Central Carrizo-Wilcox Coordinating Council, involving these three districts, the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District in Lee and Bastrop counties, and any other similar districts in the nine-county area, the council's establishment being contingent on unanimous vote by existing districts at a first annual regional coordination meeting. The act empowers the council, if established, to coordinate and maintain a management plan for the area, including an annual total groundwater withdrawal limit and equitable allocation for each district based on scientific data. If authorized by the districts, the council may also perform certain other research, survey, informational, and educational functions. The act requires the council to coordinate activities with the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District or any other groundwater conservation district created in Grimes, Washington, Austin, Waller, or Walker County if the district opts for coordination.