AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, the lack of a water conservation district in Reeves County hinders efforts to keep a sustainable approach to manage the aquifer.  Reeves County officials believe this is a potential problem as water use demands increase into the future.

 

S.B. 890 creates the Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District in order to establish the county's ability to manage, protect, and preserve the aquifers that are located within the geographical boundaries of Reeves County.  The initial boundaries of the district would be coextensive with the boundaries of Reeves County.

 

An election to confirm creation of the district is required.  The district's seven directors, appointed by the Reeves County Commissioners Court, will serve staggered four-year terms.  The bill authorizes the district to impose certain reasonable well fees and allows the district to impose an ad valorem tax.  The bill prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

S.B. 890 amends current law relating to the creation of the Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District, provides authority to issue bonds, and provides authority to impose fees, surcharges, and taxes, and prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

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 Subtitle H, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8876, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 8876.  REEVES COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

 

Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District (district) in Reeves County.  Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

 

Creation, purpose, approval of the district (Sections 8876.001-8876.005);

 

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors, including the appointment of temporary directors (Sections 8876.021-8876.054);

 

Powers and duties of the district (Sections 8876.101-8876.102); and

 

General financial provisions and authority to impose a tax and to issue bonds and obligations for the district (Sections 8876.151-8876.153).

 

Prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

SECTION 2.  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 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.