HB 4122
Author – Kyle Kacal (R-College Station)
What: Bill would allow the owner of a parcel of land greater than 1,000 acres and included in the jurisdiction of two or more groundwater districts to petition to transfer their entire parcel of land into a single district.
Status – In committee: HB 4122 went before the House Natural Resources Committee April 5, but has not made its way to the house floor. State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) said the bill was postponed. It could have a committee substitute that lessens the requirement for land size to 100 acres.
HB 4045
Author – Phillip Cortez (D-San Antonio)
What: Bill would allow a district to issue permits to landowners with more than 1,000 contiguous acres of land that’s under two or more groundwater districts without notice or the opportunity for a hearing. A permit issued would be authorized based on the volume of groundwater on a per acre basis based on the greatest amount authorized by the district that receives the application.
Status – Dead: State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) said Cortez would not move forward with HB 4045. The bill had been referred to the House Committee of Natural Resources.
SB 2254
Author – Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen)
What: SB 2254 would grant the Needmore Ranch Municipal Utility District No. 1 powers as a groundwater conservation district under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code if an election is held for such purpose. At that time, Needmore Ranch MUD No. 1 would also be removed from jurisdiction of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.
Status – Dead: Hinojosa will not pursue the bill, which could have granted the Needmore Ranch groundwater conservation district powers under Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, according to State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs). The bill had been filed and referred to the House Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs Committee.
