Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1392 by Perry (Relating to groundwater conservation districts.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would make a number of changes to groundwater management activities of groundwater conservation districts (GCDs). According to Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the bill would impact the type of information provided by TWDB to GCDs for preparation of groundwater management plans. TWDB reports that by removing the inclusion of aquifer uses or conditions within the management area and socioeconomic impacts in the groundwater management areas' consideration in developing desired future conditions, the bill also removes those considerations from the TWDB's scientific and technical analysis in the case of a petition challenging the desired future conditions. According to TWDB, the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources and no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, the fiscal impact to GCDs is anticipated to be significant under the provisions of the bill. According to the Panhandle GCD, the bill would result in significant costs to the GCD, estimated to be $60,000 for additional staff, board member time and travel, and hydrologist consultant and legal fees. According to the Red River GCD, no fiscal impact to the GCD is anticipated.