LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 21, 2003

TO:	Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3035 by Cook, Robby (Relating to the power of groundwater conservation districts to regulate the spacing of water wells and the production of groundwater.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would add to the list of methods by which a groundwater conservation district may regulate the production of groundwater that the amount of groundwater to be produced may be determined on the basis of contiguous acreage. In regulating groundwater production, the district would be required to select an appropriate method from those listed in statute based on hydrogeological conditions of the aquifer or aquifers in the district.

No significant change to state agency workload is anticipated.

Local Government Impact

The bill would expand the list of methods by which groundwater conservation districts may limit the production of groundwater. Districts may require amending the district rules to incorporate the new provisions; however, it is anticipated that any permitting of wells under the provisions of the bill could occur using current program resources.

Source Agencies:

580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JK, DLBa, CL, TL