AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The North Harris County Regional Water Authority was created to provide certain groundwater and surface water services to provide sufficient water to future residents of the area. In order to carry out its duties, the authority has incurred a substantial amount of debt. The authority’s revenue comes primarily from pumpage fees and from sales of surface water to certain districts. Interested parties assert that it is necessary to clarify the authority’s ability to collect fees on water pumped from wells within the authority’s jurisdiction in order to avoid substantial fee or rate increases.
H.B. 3934 amends current law relating to powers of the North Harris County Regional Water Authority relating to certain wells.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 4.03, Chapter 1029, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:
(e) Authorizes the North Harris County Regional Water Authority (authority), notwithstanding any other law, to impose a charge under Subsection (b) (relating to authorizing the authority to charge against the owner of a well located in the authority’s boundaries a fee on the amount of water pumped from the well) on a well or class of wells located within the boundaries of the authority that, on or after June 30, 2013, ceases to be subject to a groundwater reduction requirement imposed by the subsidence district, or is no longer subject to the regulatory provisions, permitting requirements, or jurisdiction of the subsidence district.
SECTION 2. Provides that the North Harris County Regional Water Authority retains all rights, powers, privileges, authorities, duties, and functions that it had before the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. (a) Provides that the legislature validates and confirms all governmental acts and proceedings of the authority that were taken before the effective date of this Act.
(b) Provides that this section does not apply to any matter that on the effective date of this Act is involved in litigation if the litigation ultimately results in the matter being held invalid by a final court judgment, or has been held invalid by a final court judgment.
SECTION 4. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and the laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.
SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.