BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2052
	By: Nichols
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	4/14/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District was created, authorized, and enacted by the passage of S.B. 1888 by the 78th Legislature, 2003. The district consists of four counties, Jasper, Newton, Hardin, and Tyler, and covers approximately 3,685 square miles. It is estimated to be the 11th largest groundwater district in Texas.

Since the district began collecting production fees, which is the source of revenue, it has maintained a rate of $0.07 per thousand gallons. Only recently has the district increased the production fee rate, to begin in the fourth quarter 2022. The new rate will be 1 cent per 1,000 gallons, the maximum it can charge. The district cannot levy a tax. The district has only one full�-time employee and no part-time employees.

S.B. 2052 would allow the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District to raise the production fee rate from 1 cent per 1,000 gallons to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons.

Other groundwater conservation districts throughout the state have production fees as high as 22 cents per 1,000 gallons. Nearby groundwater conservation districts have higher production fees (actual current fees�not maximum allowed by legislation):

Southeast Texas GCD	currently 0.7 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	1 cent
Pinewoods GCD	currently 2.5 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	2.5 cents
Lower Trinity GCD	currently 4.0 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	5 cents
Lone Star GCD	currently 8.5 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	no max limit
Bluebonnet GCD	currently 4.5 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	17 cents
Brazoria County GCD	currently 3.0 cents per 1,000 gallon	maximum	17 cents
Prairielands GCD	currently 20 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	30 cents
Upper Trinity GCD	currently 22 cents per 1,000 gallons	maximum	30 cents

As proposed, S.B. 2052 amends current law relating to permit fees for groundwater wells imposed by the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 8868.153(c), Special District Local Laws Code, to prohibit the fee from exceeding seven cent per thousand gallons of groundwater withdrawn, rather than one cent per thousand gallons of groundwater, for any purpose.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.