The Legislative Budget Board, in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has determined that:
 
The bill creates the Tablerock Groundwater Conservation District (District) in Coryell County with the powers and duties of Water Code, Chapter 36 related to general law for groundwater conservation districts (GCDs). The purpose of the District is to benefit property by providing for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of groundwater, and to control subsidence caused by the withdrawal of groundwater under powers conferred by Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution. Creation of the District is subject to a confirmation election. 
 
1)  Population - The total 2000 Census population of Coryell County was 74,978.  The total population is projected to increase to 102,414 by 2020.
 
2)  Location - The boundaries of the proposed district are coextensive with the boundaries of Coryell County.

3)  Comments on Powers/Duties Different from Similar Types of Districts –  The District’s temporary directors may hold subsequent elections if the initial election to confirm the District’s creation is defeated. The temporary directors become the initial directors at the time the District is confirmed by the voters, and serve staggered two- and four-year terms. Permanent directors are appointed to four-year terms by the Coryell County Commissioners Court. The District is authorized to require a permit for any activity that extracts groundwater. The District may impose additional requirements or limitations on permits to transfer groundwater out of the District. The District is authorized to adopt rules and issue permits before it adopts a management plan. The District may not exercise the power of eminent domain. The bill authorizes District revenue through the imposition of an ad valorem tax at a rate that is approved by the voters and does not exceed two cents per hundred dollar assessed evaluation. The District is authorized to assess service fees, user fees, well production fees, and grants. Fee caps are not specified. The bill includes provisions for an election to dissolve the District if petitioned by over 50 percent of the registered voters in Coryell County. The District is dissolved on September 1, 2012, if not confirmed by the voters.
 
4)  Overlapping Services – There are no other GCDs in Coryell County. GCD functions do not conflict with services provided by other types of water districts or utilities.
 
5)  TCEQ's Supervision – As with general law GCDs, the TCEQ will have general supervisory authority, including bond review authority and authority as it is related to the District’s development and implementation of a management plan. The District would not have to comply with the TCEQ’s financial or auditing requirements. 
 
6)  Water Use - In 2004, 90 percent of the total water use in Coryell County was for municipal use, with 8 percent for livestock. Four percent of the total water use (and 1 percent of the municipal water use) is from groundwater sources (total groundwater use of 669 acre-feet).