LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 5, 2009

TO:	Honorable Allan Ritter, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4258 by Hilderbran (Relating to the regulation by groundwater conservation districts of the drilling of and the production of groundwater by certain water wells.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Water Code regarding restrictions on drilling wells in certain locations and regulations by groundwater conservation districtions related to permits for wells in those locations.

Local Government Impact

According to the Real Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District, the provisions of the bill would require the district to put meters on all new wells, including exempt wells, and then to monitor production of the wells. Costs associated with these actions for staff and operational costs are estimated at $15,500 in fiscal year 2010, and $25,000 in fiscal years 2011 through 2014.

The fiscal impact would vary by affected district.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, SZ, SD, DB