Honorable Kip Averitt, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2006 by Hegar (Relating to groundwater permitting considerations of the adopted water plans.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require that a groundwater district must consider, before granting or denying a permit, whether the proposed use of water will be for an actual and reasonable beneficial use. The bill also would allow a groundwater district to consider, when permitting under an adopted availability or managed available groundwater limit, whether the in-district water supply needs can be met.
Local Government Impact
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reports that permit revenue for groundwater conservation districts may be affected since permits issuances could be denied if there insufficient evidence of beneficial use and consideration of regional water plans. The loss of revenue would depend on the number of permits that would not meet the evidence requirement.
Source Agencies:
580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality