Honorable Lyle Larson, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2729 by Minjarez (Relating to the administration, duties, and operation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority; authorizing a fee.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend various provisions related to the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). According to Texas Water Development Board, the agency will need to update maps and website information that currently label the Authority as a groundwater conservation district, however, this is anticipated to be accomplished within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Among other provisions, the bill would provide EAA the ability to address abandoned, open, uncovered or deteriorated wells and recover associated costs. According to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, this may have costs to the EAA, depending on the volume of wells addressed and the timeliness of recouping associated costs, the fiscal impacts of which cannot be determined.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation, 580 Water Development Board, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality