In the last (83rd) session of the Texas Legislature, Rep. Paul Workman filed HB 890, which would have converted West Travis County Public Utility Agency to the Hill Country Regional Water Authority. The bill was left pending in House committee – partly because the bill called for cirectors to be appointed rather than elected. If the bill had passed, the resulting HCRWA would have been able to operate anywhere within the State of Texas.
A similar bill will surely be introduced in the 84th Legislature, which begins Jan. 13. Citizens should watch for bills filed by Rep. Paul Workman or Sen. Troy Fraser. Possibly other legislators could file the bill, but Workman/Fraser are most likely. WTCPUA has hired a battery of lobbyists to work for it in the coming legislative session. Pic Howell is the consultant directing the lobbyists’ efforts.
I don’t think Hays County Commissioners Court has passed a resolution in favor of WTCPUA’s becoming a larger and more powerful entity, but I would not be surprised to see that come up.
Barbara Hopson
Wimberley
