Honorable Cody Harris, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4896 by Garcia, Josey (Relating to rules and reports related to brackish groundwater production zones.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB4896, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($500,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
($500,000)
2027
$0
2028
$0
2029
$0
2030
$0
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
2026
($500,000)
2027
$0
2028
$0
2029
$0
2030
$0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend Water Code related to brackish groundwater production zones. The bill would remove an area of geologic stratum that is designated or used or used for wastewater injection through the use of injection or disposal wells as being designated as groundwater production zones. The bill would require annual reporting on the water quality from the brackish groundwater withdrawn from these wells. The bill would allow districts to schedule hearings on applications for permits in brackish groundwater production zones before the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) submits a report summarizing its technical review of the application.
Methodology
Based on information provided by TWDB, a onetime cost of $500,000 in General Revenue Funds would be needed for professional service contracting to implement the provisions of the bill. The provisions of the bill which exempt removing geologic stratum for wastewater injection through wells from being designated as groundwater production zones would necessitate TWDB reanalyzing all previous zone designations. According to TWDB, assessing new zone designations to account for the change in injection zone criteria would require professional services and the cost estimate is based on prior experience with contracted projects in the program area.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal implications of the bill to units of local government cannot be determined at this time.