BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2570
88R8762 MP-F	By: Zaffirini
	Local Government
	4/28/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

While counties neighboring Webb County have groundwater conservation districts, which provide these counties with representation in Groundwater Management Area 13 (GMA 13), Webb County currently lacks the necessary groundwater conservation district to be represented on the council. This prevents Webb County from participating in the regional groundwater planning process, despite Webb County sharing the same aquifers as these other counties. Without representation in GMA 13, the amount of water allocated to Webb County for future water planning essentially is nonexistent.

Accordingly, S.B. 2570 would create the Webb County Groundwater Conservation District to regulate groundwater production within the county to meet local demand and participate in the regional planning process for groundwater production. This would give Webb County a seat at the table in future discussions about water conservation and management.

�As proposed, S.B. 2570 amends current law relating to the creation of the Webb County Groundwater Conservation District and provides authority to impose fees.

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 Subtitle H, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 8889, as follows:

CHAPTER 8889. WEBB COUNTY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Sets forth language for the creation of the Webb County Groundwater Conservation District (district). Sets forth standards, procedures, requirements, and criteria for:

Creation and approval of the district (Sections 8889.0101-8889.0104);

Size, composition, election, and terms of the board of directors of the district (Sections 8889.0201-8889.0203); and

Powers and duties of the district, including a limitation on the power of eminent domain (Sections 8889.0301-8889.0305).

SECTION 2. Requires the commissioners court, not later than December 31, 2023, to appoint the directors of the district as provided by Section 8889.0202, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Provides that the modeled available groundwater from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in Webb County, until new desired future conditions are approved by Groundwater Management Area 13 with the participation of the district, is considered to be 50,000 acre-feet per year for the purpose of amendments to the 2021 Region M regional water plan.

SECTION 4. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.