The Legislative Budget Board, in cooperation with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), has determined that:
This bill creates Gulf Coast Protection District (District) with the powers and duties under Local Government Code Chapter 571.
Population: SB 1160 states that the boundaries of the proposed district are composed of territory in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange Counties. Population growth in the specific area since the 2010 census is unknown.
The 2010 Census population for Brazoria County was 313,166. The Brazoria County projections adopted for the 2022 State Water Plan projects the population to grow to 411,387 in 2030 and 463,886 in 2040.
The 2010 Census population for Chambers County was 35,096. The Chambers County projections adopted for the 2022 State Water Plan projects the population to grow to 50,543 in 2030 and 59,210 in 2040.
The 2010 Census population for Galveston County was 291,309. The Galveston County projections adopted for the 2022 State Water Plan projects the population to grow to 377,373 in 2030 and 403,820 in 2040.
The 2010 Census population for Harris County was 4,092,459. The Harris County projections adopted for the 2022 State Water Plan projects the population to grow to 5,058,144 in 2030 and 5,376,099 in 2040.
The 2010 Census population for Jefferson County was 252,273. The Jefferson County projections adopted for the 2022 State Water Plan projects the population to grow to 284,620 in 2030 and 302,744 in 2040.
The 2010 Census population for Orange County was 81,837. The Orange County projections adopted for the 2022 State Water Plan projects the population to grow to 90,233 in 2030 and 92,984 in 2040.
Location: The proposed district's initial boundaries are described as territory in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange Counties. Key cities within these counties are Houston, Galveston, Beaumont, and Freeport.
Comments on Powers/Duties Different from Similar Types of Districts:
Introduced:
The bill states that the district may not be required to conduct a management audit under Chapter 292, Title 30, Texas Administrative Code. The bill states that the District must hold an election in the manner provided by Chapter 49, Water Code, to obtain voter approval before the District may impose an ad valorem tax or issue bonds payable from ad valorem taxes. If the bill does not receive a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house, the District may not exercise the power of eminent domain.
Overlapping Services: TCEQ does not have mapping information for water and/or wastewater providers because this function was transferred from the TCEQ to the Public Utility Commission on September 1, 2014. As a result, TCEQ is unaware of possible overlapping service providers.
TCEQ's Supervision: As with general law districts, the TCEQ will have general supervisory authority, including bond review authority and review of financial reports.
Water Use: Within Brazoria County, 86% of the total water use was supplied by surface water, and manufacturing was the largest volume water use category comprising 68% of the county total water use in 2018. 15% of the county total water use was for municipal use in 2018.
Within Chambers County, 93% of the total water use was supplied by surface water, and irrigation was the largest volume water use category comprising 67% of the county total water use in 2018. 6% of the county total water use was for municipal use in 2018.
Within Galveston County, 98% of the total water use was supplied by surface water, and municipal was the largest volume water use category comprising 51% of the county total water use in 2018.
Within Harris County, 76% of the total water use was supplied by surface water, and municipal use was the largest volume water use category comprising 67% of the county total water use in 2018.
Within Jefferson County, 99% of the total water use was supplied by surface water, and manufacturing was the largest volume water use category comprising 57% of the county total water use in 2018. 20% of the county total water use was for municipal use in 2018.
Within Orange County, 72% of the total water use was supplied by surface water, and manufacturing was the largest volume water use category comprising 75% of the county total water use in 2018. 19% of the county total water use was for municipal use in 2018.