By Counts                                             H.B. No. 2785
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the management of spring flow from the Edwards Aquifer
    1-3  and to the increase of the recharge to and the conservation of the
    1-4  water taken from the Edwards Aquifer located in Kinney, Uvalde,
    1-5  Medina, Bexar, Hays and Comal Counties, Texas.
    1-6        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-7        SECTION 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.  (a)  Purpose.  The purpose
    1-8  of this Act is to manage the spring flow from the Edwards Aquifer,
    1-9  to increase the recharge to and to conserve water taken from the
   1-10  Aquifer by developing supplemental sources of water, by determining
   1-11  minimum spring flow requirements, by conducting engineering and
   1-12  economic feasibility studies of methods to control the flow from
   1-13  the Comal and San Marcos Springs, by evaluating proposals to
   1-14  artificially control spring flow from the Aquifer, and by
   1-15  initiating a series of fees on recreational and downstream users;
   1-16  and further, to create the Kinney County Underground Water
   1-17  Conservation District, to validate the creation of the Uvalde
   1-18  County Underground Water Conservation District, to create the
   1-19  Edwards Underground Water Conservation District and to create the
   1-20  Edwards Aquifer Coordinating Board.
   1-21        (b)  Findings and Declaration of Policy.  It is hereby found
   1-22  and declared that:  the management of spring flow from the Edwards
   1-23  Aquifer located in Kinney, Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, Hays and Comal
    2-1  Counties, Texas ("the Aquifer area") is necessary to sustain life
    2-2  and the economic viability of the region; the Edwards Aquifer
    2-3  located in these counties contains between 25-50 million acre feet
    2-4  of water and approximately one and one-half million people
    2-5  currently reside in the area and depend on water from the Aquifer
    2-6  for all of their water needs; natural annual recharge to the
    2-7  Aquifer has historically ranged from one-half to two and one-half
    2-8  million acre feet and has historically equaled or exceeded the
    2-9  water needs of the people of the area, leaving the Aquifer full and
   2-10  overflowing except during periods of extended drought; overflow
   2-11  from the Aquifer discharging as spring flow has contributed to
   2-12  providing the habitat for several plant and animal species
   2-13  designated as "endangered" or "threatened" by the U.S. Fish &
   2-14  Wildlife Service (USFWS); the United States District Court for the
   2-15  Western District of Texas, Midland/Odessa Division, recently issued
   2-16  an order that these endangered/threatened species should be
   2-17  protected (Case No. MO-91-CA-069) by assuring a continuous flow of
   2-18  water from the Comal and San Marcos Springs ("the Springs") in an
   2-19  amount to be determined by USFWS; if water use from the Aquifer is
   2-20  restricted to a level to assure a natural discharge of water from
   2-21  the Springs during a period of extended drought, serious economic
   2-22  hardships would result for the residents of the Aquifer area and a
   2-23  major portion of the water contained in the Aquifer would be
   2-24  unavailable for their beneficial use; there is a need to provide a
   2-25  continuous water supply for the endangered/threatened species as
    3-1  well as to provide a water supply for state residents below the
    3-2  discharge points of the Springs for those who are dependent on
    3-3  spring flow to provide all or part of their water needs;
    3-4  artificially managing the discharge from the Springs will make a
    3-5  larger quantity of the water stored and recharged to the Aquifer
    3-6  available for the use of residents of the area, while providing
    3-7  adequate water to preserve the endangered/threatened species and
    3-8  satisfying needs of downstream users; the demand for water from the
    3-9  Aquifer will increase as the population grows; with the expected
   3-10  population growth in the Aquifer area and the accompanying
   3-11  increased water use, the water recharged and stored in the Aquifer
   3-12  will not satisfy all water needs; new political subdivisions of the
   3-13  state should be established with the powers and duties to increase
   3-14  the recharge to the Aquifer, the protect the water quality of the
   3-15  Aquifer, and to promote conservation; and the Aquifer is not an
   3-16  underground river but is a geologic formation containing
   3-17  percolating groundwater.
   3-18        (c)  Definitions.  In this Act, (1)  "Aquifer" means that
   3-19  portion of the Edwards Aquifer located within the following six
   3-20  counties:  Hays County, Bexar County, Comal County, Medina County,
   3-21  and Uvalde County; provided, however, that it does not include any
   3-22  territory within the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation
   3-23  District.
   3-24              (2)  "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board.
   3-25              (3)  "Commission" means the Texas Water Commission.
    4-1              (4)  "Department" means the Parks & Wildlife
    4-2  Department.
    4-3              (5)  "Local District" means the Kinney County
    4-4  Underground Water Conservation District, the Uvalde County
    4-5  Underground Water Conservation District, the Medina County
    4-6  Underground Water Conservation District, and the Edwards
    4-7  Underground Water Conservation District.
    4-8        SECTION 2.  DEVELOPMENT OF A SUPPLEMENTAL SURFACE WATER
    4-9  SUPPLY.  (a)  All cities with a population greater than 250,000
   4-10  located over the Aquifer are hereby directed to develop a
   4-11  supplemental surface water supply to reduce its reliance on the
   4-12  Aquifer as a sole source of drinking water.
   4-13        SECTION 3.  MANAGEMENT OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER.  (a)  The
   4-14  Department shall conduct a study of available information to
   4-15  determine minimum spring flow requirements for the Comal and San
   4-16  Marcos Springs which, based on its best professional judgment, will
   4-17  preserve the endangered/threatened species found below the
   4-18  discharge of the Springs.  The Department shall provide the results
   4-19  of the study to the United States District Court for the Western
   4-20  District of Texas, Midland-Odessa Division and to the USFWS.
   4-21        (b)  The Board shall conduct a study to determine minimum
   4-22  spring flow requirements from the Comal and San Marcos Springs
   4-23  which, based on its best professional judgment, will satisfy the
   4-24  water needs of the downstream users located in the counties all or
   4-25  part of which are in the Guadalupe River Basin downstream of the
    5-1  Springs ("the downstream users"), including the minimum water needs
    5-2  of downstream bays and estuaries, taking into account those
    5-3  additions of water which occur in the rivers below the Springs.
    5-4  The Board shall prior to the 74th Legislative Session, report the
    5-5  results of the study to the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the
    5-6  House of Representatives and Department.
    5-7        (c)  The Board shall complete as expeditiously as possible,
    5-8  engineering and economic feasibility studies of methods to (1)
    5-9  control the flow from the Springs to retain water in the Aquifer
   5-10  during periods of high recharge when water in excess of the needs
   5-11  of downstream users naturally flows from the Aquifer; and (2) to
   5-12  provide discharge from the Springs during extended droughts when
   5-13  adequate water to protect the endangered/threatened species  and/or
   5-14  to satisfy the downstream users is not naturally available.
   5-15        (d)  The Board shall evaluate suggestions made at legislative
   5-16  hearings of means to artifically control spring flow from the
   5-17  Aquifer, including but not limited to, controlling flow from the
   5-18  Aquifer during periods of excess to retain water for release during
   5-19  short-or-long-term drought by elevating the existing dams located
   5-20  below the Springs or by installing flow control valves to regulate
   5-21  discharge, and providing for an adequate supply of water to protect
   5-22  the endangered/threatened species and to provide water for
   5-23  downstream users during periods of drought by augmenting the spring
   5-24  flow from wells or a surface water supply.
   5-25        (e)  The Department and the Commission shall apportion,
    6-1  assess, and recover the reasonable costs of administering the
    6-2  spring flow management program in the Aquifer from all users of
    6-3  water including residential, commercial and industrial downstream
    6-4  users and recreational users, including fishermen, who use the
    6-5  water between the discharge points of the Comal and San Marcos
    6-6  Springs and its destination in the Gulf of Mexico.
    6-7        (f)  The Department shall assess the following fees on users
    6-8  of water for recreational and fishing purposes in order to support
    6-9  the benefits such users are anticipated to receive from spring flow
   6-10  augmentation and management:
   6-11              (1)  A fee of ____ for each boat registered with the
   6-12  Department in any county located in whole or in part in the
   6-13  Guadalupe River Basin downstream of Comal or San Marcos Springs.
   6-14              (2)  A fee of ____ for each non-commercial fishing
   6-15  license issued by the Department in any county located in whole or
   6-16  in part in the Guadalupe River Basin downstream of Comal or San
   6-17  Marcos Springs.
   6-18              (3)  A fee of ____ for each commercial fishing license
   6-19  issued by the Department in any county located in whole or in part
   6-20  in the Guadalupe River Basin downstream of Comal or San Marcos
   6-21  Springs.
   6-22              (4)  A fee equivalent to ____% of all fees collected by
   6-23  any park district created pursuant to Act of the 76th Legislature,
   6-24  Ch. 1005, which ____% fee shall be imposed by the district annually
   6-25  in addition to any other fees collected by the district and paid to
    7-1  the Department on or before December 31 of each year.
    7-2        The Department shall adopt rules to provide for collection of
    7-3  the foregoing fees.
    7-4        (g)  The Commission shall assess and collect an annual fee of
    7-5  $____ per acre foot for all water taken pursuant to permit or other
    7-6  authority from the Commission, for any purpose other than domestic,
    7-7  livestock, or irrigation, between the discharge points of the
    7-8  Springs and the Gulf of Mexico.  The Commission shall adopt rules
    7-9  to provide for the collection of this fee and payment of proceeds
   7-10  of fees to the Department.
   7-11        (h)  The Department shall utilize the fees collected as
   7-12  follows: (1) it shall pay to the Board on a quarterly basis 10% of
   7-13  the fees for the costs of economic and engineering studies and
   7-14  technical assistance provided by the Board; (2) it shall use 40% of
   7-15  the fees collected to implement the recommendations of the Board to
   7-16  manage the spring flow; (3) it shall provide, on an annual basis,
   7-17  the remaining 50% of the fees collected to the Edwards Aquifer
   7-18  Coordinating Board created under Section 7 of this Act for its use
   7-19  to enhance recharge to the Aquifer and to promote conservation
   7-20  practices.
   7-21        SECTION 4.  CREATION OF THE KINNEY COUNTY UNDERGROUND WATER
   7-22  CONSERVATION DISTRICT.  (a)  Creation.  Under article XVI, section
   7-23  59 of the Texas Constitution, the Kinney County Underground Water
   7-24  Conservation District is created, subject to approval at
   7-25  confirmation elections to be held in the district.  The district is
    8-1  a governmental agency and body politic and corporate, authorized to
    8-2  exercise the powers essential to the accomplishment of the purposes
    8-3  of that constitutional provision and to exercise the rights,
    8-4  powers, duties, privileges and functions provided by this Act, and
    8-5  by Chapter 52 of the Water Code.
    8-6        (b)  Definition.  In this chapter "district" means the Kinney
    8-7  County Underground Water Conservation District.
    8-8        (c)  Boundaries.  The boundaries of the district are
    8-9  co-extensive with the boundaries of Kinney County, Texas.
   8-10        (d)  Finding of Benefit.  All of the land and other property
   8-11  included within the boundary of the district will be benefitted by
   8-12  the work and projects that are to be accomplished by the district
   8-13  under powers conferred by article XVI, section 59 of the Texas
   8-14  Constitution.  The district is created to serve a public use and
   8-15  benefit.
   8-16        (e)  Purpose, Powers and Duties of the District.
   8-17              (1)  The district's purpose is to provide for the
   8-18  conservation, preservation, protection, recharge, and prevention of
   8-19  waste of the underground water of the Aquifer within the
   8-20  above-stated boundaries consistent with the objective of article
   8-21  XVI, section 59 of the Texas Constitution.
   8-22              (2)  The district has all of the rights, powers,
   8-23  privileges, authority, functions, and duties provided by the
   8-24  general laws of this state, including Chapters 50 and 52 of the
   8-25  Water Code, applicable to underground water conservation districts
    9-1  created under article XVI, section 59 of the Texas Constitution.
    9-2  This Act prevails over any provision of general law that is in
    9-3  conflict or inconsistent with this Act.
    9-4              (3)  The rights, powers, privileges, authority,
    9-5  functions and duties of the district are subject to the continuing
    9-6  right of the supervision of the state to be exercised by and
    9-7  through the Texas Water Commission.
    9-8        (f)  Board of Directors.
    9-9              (1)  The district is governed by a board of five
   9-10  directors.
   9-11              (2)  Temporary directors serve until initial permanent
   9-12  directors are elected under Section 4(h) of this Chapter.
   9-13              (3)  Initial permanent directors serve until directors
   9-14  are elected under Section 4(i) of this Chapter.
   9-15              (4)  Directors other than temporary and initial
   9-16  permanent directors serve staggered four-year terms.
   9-17              (5)  Each director must qualify to serve as director in
   9-18  the manner provided by Sections 51.078 and 51.079 of the Water
   9-19  Code.
   9-20              (6)  A director serves until the director's successor
   9-21  has qualified.
   9-22        (g)  Temporary Directors.
   9-23              (1)  The temporary board of directors for the district
   9-24  is composed of:
   9-25                    (i)   ___________________________;
   10-1                    (ii)  ___________________________;
   10-2                    (iii) ___________________________;
   10-3                    (iv)  ___________________________;
   10-4                    (v)   ___________________________;
   10-5              (2)  If a temporary director fails to qualify for
   10-6  office, the temporary directors who have qualified shall appoint a
   10-7  person to fill the vacancy.  If at any time there are fewer than
   10-8  three qualified temporary directors, the Texas Water Commission
   10-9  shall appoint the necessary number of persons to fill all vacancies
  10-10  on the Board.
  10-11        (h)  Confirmation and Initial Directors' Election.
  10-12              (1)  Within 180 days after the effective date of this
  10-13  Act, the temporary board of directors for the district shall call
  10-14  and hold an election, confirm establishment of the district, and
  10-15  elect the district's five initial directors.
  10-16              (2)  A person who desires to be a candidate for the
  10-17  office of initial director may file an application with the
  10-18  temporary board to have the candidate's name printed on the ballot
  10-19  as provided by Section 51.075 of the Water Code.
  10-20              (3)  At the confirmation and the initial directors'
  10-21  election, the temporary board of directors shall have the names of
  10-22  the five persons serving as temporary directors placed on the
  10-23  ballot together with the name of any candidate filing for the
  10-24  office of director as provided by Subsection (2) of this section
  10-25  and blank spaces to write in the names of other persons.  The
   11-1  temporary directors, at the time the vote is canvassed, shall
   11-2  declare the five persons who receive the most votes to be elected
   11-3  as the initial directors and shall include the results of the
   11-4  directors' election in its election report to the Texas Water
   11-5  Commission.
   11-6              (4)  Section 41.001(a) of the Election Code does not
   11-7  apply to a confirmation and initial directors' election held as
   11-8  provided by this section.
   11-9              (5)  Except as provided by this section, a confirmation
  11-10  and initial directors' election must be conducted as provided by
  11-11  Sections 52.058(b)-(g) of the Water Code and Tax Election Code.
  11-12        (i)  Election of Local District Directors.  On the first
  11-13  Saturday in May of the second year after the year in which the
  11-14  local district is authorized to be created at a confirmation
  11-15  election, an election shall be held for the election of two
  11-16  directors who shall serve two-year terms and three directors who
  11-17  shall each serve four-year terms.  Thereafter, on the same date in
  11-18  each subsequent second year, the appropriate number of directors
  11-19  shall be elected to each of the boards.
  11-20        (j)  Tax Rate.  The board of directors may not levy and
  11-21  collect a maintenance tax that exceeds the rate approved by the
  11-22  majority of the qualified voters voting in the election authorizing
  11-23  the tax unless an election is held in the district at which a
  11-24  majority of the qualified voters who vote approve a proposition
  11-25  authorizing a greater rate of assessment.
   12-1        (k)  Tax Allocation.  The district shall allocate a minimum
   12-2  of 25% of the taxes collected to the Edwards Aquifer Coordinating
   12-3  Board created in Section 7 of this Act to be used for the purposes
   12-4  set forth in Section 7(c).  The taxes shall be paid not later than
   12-5  June 1 of each year.
   12-6        SECTION 5.  VALIDATION OF THE CREATION OF THE UVALDE COUNTY
   12-7  UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.  (a)  Under article XVI,
   12-8  Section 59 of the Texas Constitution, the Uvalde County Underground
   12-9  Water Conservation District created by order of the Uvalde County
  12-10  Commissioners Court on ___, and confirmed by election on ___, is
  12-11  validated as a governmental agency and body politic incorporate,
  12-12  authorized to exercise the powers essential to the accomplishment
  12-13  of the purposes of that constitutional provision and to exercise
  12-14  the rights, powers, duties, privileges, duties, and functions
  12-15  provided by this Act and by Chapter 52 of the Water Code.  The
  12-16  election of directors and approval of the levy of a maintenance tax
  12-17  at the election held on ___ are hereby validated and confirmed in
  12-18  all respects.
  12-19        (b)  Definition.  In this Subchapter, "district" means the
  12-20  Uvalde County Underground Water Conservation District.
  12-21        (c)  Validation.  The creation of the district and all
  12-22  resolutions, orders, and other acts or attempted acts of the board
  12-23  of directors of the district are validated in all respects.  The
  12-24  creation of the district and all resolutions, orders, and other
  12-25  acts, or attempted acts of the board of directors of the district
   13-1  are valid as though they had originally had been legally authorized
   13-2  or accomplished.
   13-3        (d)  Pending Litigation.  The Act does not apply to or affect
   13-4  litigation pending on the effective date of this Act in any court
   13-5  of competent jurisdiction in this state to which the district is a
   13-6  party.
   13-7        (e)  Tax Allocation.  The district shall allocate a minimum
   13-8  of 25% of the taxes collected to the Edwards Aquifer Coordinating
   13-9  Board created in Subchapter 7 of this Act to be used for the
  13-10  purposes set forth in Section 7.03.  The taxes shall be paid not
  13-11  later than June 1 of each year.
  13-12        SECTION 6.  CREATION OF THE EDWARDS UNDERGROUND WATER
  13-13  CONSERVATION DISTRICT.  (a)  Chapter 99, Acts of the 56th
  13-14  Legislature, Regular Session, 1959 is amended by adding Section 19
  13-15  to read as follows:
  13-16        SECTION 19.  DISSOLUTION OF EDWARDS UNDERGROUND WATER
  13-17  DISTRICT AND CONVERSION TO EDWARDS UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION
  13-18  DISTRICT.  The Edwards Underground Water District (1) shall be
  13-19  dissolved and all its property and funds shall be transferred to
  13-20  the Edwards Underground Water Conservation District within 90 days
  13-21  of the effective date this Act; (2) the district is comprised of
  13-22  those portions of Bexar, Comal and Hays Counties currently in the
  13-23  Edwards Underground Water District; and (3) the district is a
  13-24  governmental agency and body politic corporate, authorized to
  13-25  exercise the powers essential to the accomplishment of the purposes
   14-1  of article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution and to
   14-2  exercise the rights, powers, duties, privileges and functions
   14-3  provided by this Act and by Chapter 52 of the Water Code.
   14-4        (b)  The existing Board of Directors of the Edwards
   14-5  Underground Water District shall continue to serve as temporary
   14-6  directors of the Edwards Underground Water Conservation District
   14-7  until new directors can be elected pursuant to the provisions of
   14-8  Chapter 52 of the Water Code, which election shall occur on the
   14-9  date next regularly scheduled for election of directors of the
  14-10  Edwards Underground Water District.
  14-11        (c)  Edwards Underground Water Conservation District shall
  14-12  allocate a minimum of 25% of the taxes collected to the Edwards
  14-13  Aquifer Coordinating Board created in Section 7 of this Act to be
  14-14  used for the purposes set forth in Section 7(c).  Taxes shall be
  14-15  paid not later than June 1 of each year.  The temporary Board of
  14-16  Directors of Edwards Underground Water Conservation District shall
  14-17  transfer 25% of all cash and cash equivalent assets existing on
  14-18  June 1, 1993, to the Edwards Aquifer Coordinating Board not later
  14-19  than December 31, 1993.
  14-20        SECTION 7.  CREATION OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER COORDINATING
  14-21  BOARD.  (a)  Creation.  The Edwards Aquifer Coordinating Board
  14-22  (EACB) is created under and is essential to accomplish the purposes
  14-23  of article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution and shall
  14-24  provide management and technical assistance to local districts and
  14-25  promote conservation and effective management of the Aquifer.  The
   15-1  EACB may make recommendations to the local districts; it shall not
   15-2  implement any plans or programs itself.  EACB has only the powers
   15-3  expressly authorized below; has no authority over the local
   15-4  districts.
   15-5        (b)  Members.  The board of directors of EACB shall have six
   15-6  members including one from the Kinney County Underground Water
   15-7  Conservation District, the Uvalde County Underground Water
   15-8  Conservation District validated by this Act, and the Medina
   15-9  Underground Water Conservation District.  Each of the three
  15-10  underground water conservation districts shall select from its
  15-11  board one person to serve on the EACB.  The Edwards Underground
  15-12  Water Conservation District may appoint three members from its
  15-13  board of directors to the EACB provided that they reside in and
  15-14  represent the three different counties which comprise that
  15-15  district.
  15-16        (c)  Purposes.  The EACB has the following purposes:
  15-17              (1)  Identify all potential recharge sites above the
  15-18  Aquifer and undertake studies to determine the amount of recharge
  15-19  that could occur if recharge facilities were installed;
  15-20              (2)  Determine the feasibility of additional techniques
  15-21  or methods to recharge the Aquifer, including but not limited to,
  15-22  brush control, precipitation enhancement and importation of water
  15-23  from outside the Aquifer area;
  15-24              (3)  Evaluate the possible water savings to be achieved
  15-25  through providing technical and financial assistance to irrigators
   16-1  for improving the water use efficiency of their irrigation systems;
   16-2              (4)  Construct recharge facilities and implement the
   16-3  use of such techniques or methods of Aquifer recharge, enhancement
   16-4  and conservation judged to be most beneficial and cost efficient to
   16-5  the management of the Aquifer;
   16-6              (5)  Assist in coordinating activities of all local
   16-7  districts by conducting public meetings to share management plans
   16-8  and provide financial support and technical assistance to local
   16-9  districts which are implementing programs and activities outside
  16-10  their respective counties to benefit the users of water from the
  16-11  Aquifer.
  16-12        (d)  Powers.
  16-13              (1)  The EACB shall have the authority to maintain an
  16-14  office, employ a general manager and such other employees as it may
  16-15  be determined to be necessary, and to exercise such other powers as
  16-16  are reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act.
  16-17  This subsection shall not, however, be construed as a grant of
  16-18  regulatory authority to the EACB.
  16-19              (2)  The EACB shall have the authority to own property,
  16-20  but only to the limited extent necessary to effectuate the purposes
  16-21  of this Act.
  16-22              (3)  The EACB shall have the authority to enter into
  16-23  contracts with water districts, conservation districts, cities and
  16-24  towns, counties and municipal and governmental agencies of every
  16-25  kind, both state and federal, and with individuals and private
   17-1  corporations, but only to the limited extent necessary to
   17-2  effectuate the purposes of this Act.
   17-3              (4)  The EACB shall have the authority to receive any
   17-4  gifts, grants or donations made to it.
   17-5              (5)  The EACB may:
   17-6                    (i)  Provide technical assistance to the local
   17-7  districts;
   17-8                    (ii)  Provide geologic and hydrologic information
   17-9  to the local districts;
  17-10                    (iii)  Conduct research;
  17-11                    (iv)  Collect data;
  17-12                    (v)  Analyze water quality and water levels;
  17-13                    (vi)  Develop and distribute educational programs
  17-14  regarding the Aquifer, water quality, and conservation;
  17-15                    (vii)  Plan and recommend to the local districts
  17-16  recharge projects, including dam construction and brush clearing;
  17-17                    (viii)  Recommend, provide incentives for, and
  17-18  assist municipalities and others with implementation of wastewater
  17-19  reuse programs; and
  17-20                    (ix)  Develop, study, and recommend artificial
  17-21  recharge enhancement programs throughout the local districts.
  17-22              (6)  The EACB shall consider and develop plans to
  17-23  protect endangered/threatened species found in Comal or San Marcos
  17-24  Springs.  The EACB shall report its recommendations for plans to
  17-25  protect endangered/threatened species to the local districts; it
   18-1  shall not implement plans except upon approval by local districts.
   18-2  Such plans may include spring flow augmentation through
   18-3  construction and operation of wells, to preserve local industry and
   18-4  protect endangered/threatened species.
   18-5        SECTION 8.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.  (a)  Legislative
   18-6  Review.  The Legislature shall review the progress of all parties
   18-7  under this Act in managing the waters from the Aquifer during each
   18-8  regular legislative session until such time as it determines that
   18-9  the water from the Aquifer is being managed adequately to satisfy
  18-10  the needs of all water users in the state.
  18-11        (b)  Findings Relating to Procedural Requirements.
  18-12              (1)  The proper and legal notice of the intention to
  18-13  introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
  18-14  Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
  18-15  copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
  18-16  officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished
  18-17  by the constitution and other laws of this state, including the
  18-18  governor, who has submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Water
  18-19  Commission.
  18-20              (2)  The Texas Water Commission has filed its
  18-21  recommendations relating to this Act with the governor, lieutenant
  18-22  governor, and speaker of the house of representatives within the
  18-23  required time.
  18-24              (3)  All requirements of the constitution and laws of
  18-25  this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with
   19-1  respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are
   19-2  fulfilled and accomplished.
   19-3        SECTION 9.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
   19-4  and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   19-5  emergency and an imperative public necessity (1) that the
   19-6  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three days in
   19-7  each house be suspended and this rule is hereby suspended; and (2)
   19-8  that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   19-9  passage, and it is so enacted.