Honorable Lyle Larson, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2377 by Larson (Relating to the development of brackish groundwater.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Texas Water Code to require a Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) located over any part of a designated brackish groundwater production zone that is petitioned by a person with a legally defined interest in groundwater in the district to develop and adopt rules to permit withdrawal of brackish groundwater from a well in a designated brackish groundwater production zone for projects designed to treat brackish groundwater to drinking water standards. The GCD may request that the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) investigate and issue a report on whether withdrawals are causing significant, unanticipated aquifer level declines in an adjacent freshwater aquifer or negative effects on water quality in an aquifer. According to TWDB, the agency will need to process and maintain additional data in accordance with provisions of the bill, however, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
According to the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District, no fiscal impact to the District is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 580 Water Development Board