LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 16, 2003

TO:	Honorable Frank Madla, Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB884 by Brimer (Relating to the authority to regulate the placement of water wells in unincorporated areas of the county; providing a penalty.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize county commissioners courts to regulate the placement of private water wells in the unincorporated area of the county except for a parcel of land that is 10 acres or more in size or is qualified open-space land as defined by Section 23.51, Tax Code. Before a regulation may be adopted, notice must be published on two separate dates regarding the proposed regulation.

The county would be authorized to establish rules related to placement of water wells and to have the county health officer, or other official designated by the county commissioners court, inspect the proposed private water well site. A violation of an ordinance would be a Class C misdemeanor. The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:	JK, CL, DLBa, JB