Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4122 by Kacal (Relating to the transference of certain territory from one groundwater conservation district to another.), As Engrossed
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code relating to the transfer of territory between groundwater conservation districts. The bill would allow an owner of a parcel of land over 1,000 acres in area and that is included in two or more groundwater districts to petition districts requesting transfer of their territories as necessary for the entire parcel to be included in a single district under certain conditions.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Local Government Impact
According to the Rusk County Ground Water Conservation District, the district could lose no more than $300 in tax revenue. The district's boundaries are defined by law and the boundaries would need to be legislatively amended for any property swaps associated with the bill. The bill would be in conflict with the district's Desired Future Conditions (DFC) and Modeled Available Groundwater (MAG) statutorily required plans, which are mandated to be adopted every 5 years and can range in cost from $10,000 to $50,000. The Rusk County Ground Water Conservation District's budget for the current fiscal year is $186,376.