BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4049

By: Isaac

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District serves western Hays County with its core mission being to conserve, preserve, recharge, and prevent waste of groundwater. Recently, the Hays County Commissioners Court altered the county's funding of the district, leaving the district with the potential for a funding deficit in the future. H.B 4049 seeks to stabilize the district's funding by authorizing a production fee on certain non-exempt wells.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 4049 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to authorize the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District by rule to charge and collect a production fee capped at 10 cents for each 1,000 gallons of groundwater permitted from a non-exempt commercial well in the district. The bill expands the exception to the prohibition against the district assessing or collecting a fee to include, in addition to a new well construction fee and a water utility service connection fee, any fee authorized by the district's financial provisions.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.