LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATURE 1st CALLED SESSION - 2005

July 5, 2005

TO:	Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB41 by Puente (Relating to the maximum permitted withdrawals and critical period management of groundwater in the area regulated by the Edwards Aquifer Authority and to the operations and oversight of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would modify withdrawal limits from the Edwards Aquifer and establish pumping reduction levels and stages for critical period management. The bill would create additional administrative responsibilities for the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The bill would take effect November 1, 2005.

TWDB reports that any new administrative responsibilities could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

It is anticipated that the EAA could absorb additional administrative responsibilities within existing resources. Because provisions of the bill could raise overall annual withdrawal rates from the Edwards Aquifer, local governments depending on water from that source could benefit from greater water availability. However, because of the bill's provisions relating to critical period management plans, local governments also could be forced to find more expensive sources of water. Any costs would depend on the levels of rainfall and the aquifer.

Source Agencies:

580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, CL, DLBa