BILL ANALYSIS
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties note that with the threat of reoccurring drought and the state's increasing population growth and related increase in water demand, groundwater resources are under pressure to supply existing and future needs. The parties contend that local groundwater supplies should be adequately protected for future local use and other needs. H.B. 4207 seeks to address this issue for Aransas County by providing for the creation of the Aransas County Groundwater Conservation District.
H.B. 4207 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to create the Aransas County Groundwater Conservation District. The bill provides for the dissolution of the district on September 1, 2019, and sets the bill's provisions to expire on September 1, 2021, if the creation of the district is not confirmed at a confirmation election held before September 1, 2019. The bill, among other provisions, prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain and caps district property taxes at one cent on each $100 of assessed valuation of taxable property in the district.
H.B. 4207 amends current law relating to the creation of the Aransas County Groundwater Conservation District, provides authority to issue bonds and impose a tax, and provides general law authority to impose fees and surcharges.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle H, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, as follows
CHAPTER 8823. ARANSAS COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Sets forth standard language for the creation of the Aransas County Groundwater Conservation District (district) in Aransas County. Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:
Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8823.001-8823.005);
Temporary provisions including initial directors (Sections 8823.021-8823.026);
Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8823.051-8823.054)
Powers and duties of the district (Section 8823.101); and
General financial provisions including limitation on taxes (Section 8823.151).
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: September 1, 2015.