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AN ACT
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relating to the administration and powers of the Red River |
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Authority of Texas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 279, Acts of the 56th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 1959, is amended by adding Section 7a to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 7a. The Authority's Board of Directors or a Board |
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committee may hold a meeting by telephone conference call, by video |
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conference call, or through communications over the Internet, in |
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accordance with procedures provided by Subchapter F, Chapter 551, |
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Government Code, if holding the meeting in that way is determined to |
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be necessary or convenient by the Board president or any three Board |
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members. |
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SECTION 2. Section 19, Chapter 279, Acts of the 56th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 1959, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 19. Said Authority shall have and may exercise such |
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functions, powers, authority, rights and duties as may permit the |
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accomplishment of the purposes for which it is created, including |
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investigating and planning, acquiring, constructing, maintaining |
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and operating of all necessary properties, lands, rights, |
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tenements, easements, improvements, reservoirs, dams, canals, |
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laterals, plants, works and facilities which it may deem necessary |
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or proper for the accomplishment of said purposes, including the |
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acquisition within and/or without said Authority of lands, |
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rights-of-way, surface water rights, groundwater rights, if |
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purchased, as provided by Section 19a, and all other properties, |
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tenements, easements and all other rights incident, helpful to, or |
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in aid of carrying out the purposes of said Authority as herein |
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defined; provided, however, that said Authority shall not engage in |
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the generation or distribution of electric power except as provided |
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by Section 14b of this Act. The right of eminent domain shall not be |
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exercised or extend beyond the boundaries of this District. |
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SECTION 3. Chapter 279, Acts of the 56th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 1959, is amended by adding Section 19a to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 19a. The Authority may purchase groundwater rights in |
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a county in the Authority's territory only if: |
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(1) there is a groundwater conservation district that |
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has jurisdiction over water wells located in the county; or |
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(2) in the case where a county is not in the |
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jurisdiction of a groundwater conservation district, the |
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commissioners court of the county approves the purchase of |
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groundwater rights by the Authority in the county. |
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SECTION 4. Section 25, Chapter 279, Acts of the 56th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 1959, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 25. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as |
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authorizing the Authority to acquire or[,] regulate [or control in
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any way] underground water or underground water rights by |
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condemnation or [purchase or otherwise or to develop,] regulate [or
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control] the use of underground water resources in any manner [.
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This Act is intended to govern and shall be construed to govern and
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apply to surface water only]. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 281 passed the Senate on |
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March 26, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; |
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May 21, 2013, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and |
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requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 22, 2013, House |
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granted request of the Senate; May 26, 2013, Senate adopted |
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Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31, |
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Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 281 passed the House, with |
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amendments, on May 20, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 147, |
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Nays 0, two present not voting; May 22, 2013, House granted request |
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of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; |
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May 25, 2013, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the |
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following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 1, two present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |