BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2052

By: Nichols

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District was created in 2003, consists of Jasper, Newton, Hardin, and Tyler Counties, covers over 3,000 square miles, and is estimated to be the 11th largest groundwater conservation district in Texas. The district is prohibited from imposing a tax and has only one fulltime employee and no part-time employees. The district's well permit fee is the district's source of revenue and there is a need to raise the cap on this fee. S.B. 2052 seeks to address this need by raising the cap from one cent per thousand gallons of withdrawn groundwater to seven cents per such thousand gallons.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2052 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to raise the cap on the well permit fee of the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District from one cent per thousand gallons of withdrawn groundwater to seven cents per such thousand gallons.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.