AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Northern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (district) is a recently created groundwater conservation district in Tarrant County that is funded by fees assessed on the production of groundwater by non-exempt wells. While many surrounding groundwater conservation districts are allowed to assess fees on the production of groundwater at a rate not to exceed 30 cents per thousand gallons for non-agricultural uses, interested parties contend that the district can adequately perform the duties for which it was created with a lower fee rate for such uses. H.B. 3818 seeks to address the district funding issue by establishing provisions relating to limitations on production fees on groundwater withdrawals assessed by the district.
H.B. 3818 amends current law relating to a limitation on production fees on groundwater withdrawals assessed by the Northern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 8820, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 8820.202, as follows:
Sec. 8820.202. LIMITATION ON ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION FEES. Prohibits a production fee assessed by the Northern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (district) on the amount of groundwater authorized by a permit to be withdrawn from a well or the amount of groundwater actually withdrawn from exceeding $1 for each acre-foot of groundwater permitted for or used in a year solely for agricultural use, or 20 cents for each 1,000 gallons of groundwater permitted for or used in a year for any purpose other than agriculture.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.