BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4207

By: Morrison

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

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. 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.