88R6134 SCL-D
 
  By: Gerdes H.B. No. 3314
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a mitigation program and fees for the Lost Pines
  Groundwater Conservation District.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 8849, Special District
  Local Laws Code, is amended by adding Section 8849.107 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 8849.107.  MITIGATION PROGRAM. (a) In this section,
  "potentiometric surface" means an imaginary surface representing
  the static head of groundwater in a tightly cased well that taps a
  water-bearing rock unit; or, in the case of unconfined aquifers,
  the water table.
         (b)  The district by rule may establish a mitigation program
  to address excessive drawdown of an aquifer or subdivision of an
  aquifer in the district that results in:
               (1)  the potentiometric surface being below a desired
  future condition; or 
               (2)  nonproductive wells.
         (c)  A mitigation program established under this section
  may: 
               (1)  reduce groundwater production from the aquifer or
  subdivision of an aquifer that is the subject of the program; or 
               (2)  provide reimbursement for the cost of repairing
  wells to access groundwater below the potentiometric surface of the
  aquifer or subdivision of an aquifer that is the subject of the
  program.
         (d)  The district may fund the mitigation program with
  production fees, export fees, or any other revenue available to the
  district.
         SECTION 2.  Section 8849.151, Special District Local Laws
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 8849.151.  [PUMPING] FEES.  (a)  The district may
  assess production [regulatory pumping] fees under Section
  36.205(c), Water Code, and export fees under Section 36.122, Water
  Code [for water produced in or exported from the district].
         (b)  The production [regulatory pumping] fees the district
  assesses for water for crop or livestock production or other
  agricultural uses may not exceed 20 percent of the rate applied to
  water for municipal uses.
         (c)  Production [Regulatory pumping] fees [based on the
  amount of water withdrawn from a well] may not exceed:
               (1)  $1 for each acre-foot for water used to irrigate
  agricultural crops; or
               (2)  17 cents for each thousand gallons for water used
  for any other purpose.
         [(d)  Combined regulatory pumping fees for production and
  export of water may not exceed 17 cents for each thousand gallons
  for water used.]
         SECTION 3.  Mitigation payments and fees assessed before the
  effective date of this Act are ratified, confirmed, and validated
  in all respects.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.