BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 801

By: Anderson, Charles "Doc"

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District was established by the legislature as a nontaxing entity to conserve and manage groundwater withdrawals in McLennan County.  Included in the enabling legislation was a requirement that the district add another county to its boundaries by September 1, 2011, or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would begin dissolution of the district.  McLennan County and other counties are also part of a groundwater management area created by TCEQ.  All of the other counties in this management area are already within a confirmed groundwater conservation district.  The district, in concurrence with stakeholders in the district, seeks to maintain its existence as a successful district.  H.B. 801 repeals the requirement that the district boundaries include at least one county adjacent to McLennan County on September 1, 2011.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 801 repeals Section 8821.107, Special District Local Laws Code, a temporary provision set to expire September 1, 2013, requiring the boundaries of the Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District to include at least one county adjacent to McLennan County on September 1, 2011, and requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to dissolve the district if TCEQ determines that the district does not comply with this boundary requirement.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.