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TWCA Bills of Interest Passed (80th Texas Legislature)
197-428-B-25 Goodson Bill Status Report
06-27-2007 - 23:26:41
 - Action in the date
range  - Link to
Related Information ( ) - Priority [ ] - Position
|
HB 3 |
Puente
Averitt
|
Relating to the management of the water resources of
the state, including the protection of instream flows
and freshwater inflows, and to the management of
groundwater regulated by the Edwards Aquifer Authority. |
| General Remarks: |
Article 1 is the comprehensive
"e-flows" legislation establishing a process for
protecting needed flows for Texas rivers and bay systems
against new appropriations of surface water. This
legislation is the result of negotiations between TWCA
and environmental interests over the last few years.
Article 2 is the negotiated bill amending the enabling
legislation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Both of
these articles are also contained in SB3. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 1, Water Code, is amended
to recognize that voluntary land stewardship, such as
land and habitat management, wildlife conservation, and
watershed protection, result in a benefit to the natural
resources of this state and to the general public.
Chapter 10, Water Code, is added to create a Water
Conservation Advisory Council, composed of 17 members
appointed by the TWDB, to monitor and further develop
water conservation initiatives. Chapter 11, Water Code,
is amended to define "best management practices".
Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended to require each
retail public utility that provides water service to
3,300 or more connections to submit a water conservation
plan to the TWDB. Chapter 16, Water Code, is amended to
require the TWDB to develop and implement a statewide
water conservation public awareness program, and to
require annual progress reports for entities required to
submit water conservation plans. The TWDB and TCEQ are
required to jointly adopt rules identifying minimum
requirements and submission deadlines for annual
progress reports. Other Codes are amended related to
rainwater harvesting. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Track only. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 147 |
Phillips
Seliger
|
Relating to the deferral of an administrative
penalty imposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality against certain utilities and districts. |
| General Remarks: |
The bill as finally passed amends
Chapter 7, Water Code, to authorize the TCEQ to defer
all of part of an administrative assessed against a
municipally-owned utility, a water supply or sewer
service corporation, or a water district, based on
factors contained in the bill. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 149 |
Phillips
Estes
|
Relating to rates charged for water or sewer
services by an entity that takes over a nonfunctioning
water or sewer system. |
| General Remarks: |
The bill as finally passed amends
Chapter 13, Water Code, to require the TCEQ by rule to
establish a streamlined procedure that allows a retail
public utility that takes over a nonfunctioning utility
to obtain approval to charge a reasonable rate to bring
the system into compliance with TCEQ rules. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 386 |
Callegari
Hegar
|
Relating to the repeal of the law creating the Texas
Deepwater Port Authority. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 19, Water Code,
authorizing the creation of the Texas Deepwater Port
Authority, is repealed. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 447 |
Callegari
Jackson, Mike
|
Relating to contracts by governmental entities and
related professional services and to public works
performance and payment bonds. |
| Companions: |
SB 356 (Identical)
|
| General Remarks: |
Alternatives to low-bid delivery
of construction projects, currently contained in
numerous codes such as the Education Code, the Local
Government Code, and the Government Code, are
consolidated into a new Chapter 2264 of the Government
Code. Their applicability is also expanded. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Vetoed by the Governor
|
|
HB 462 |
Miller
Fraser
|
Relating to the authority of certain municipalities
to collect an infrastructure fee from certain
governmental entities. |
| General Remarks: |
Section 430, Local Government
Code, currently prohibits a county, municipality or
utility district from collecting from a state agency or
public institution of higher education any fee charged
for the development or maintenance of facilities for the
control of excess water or storm water. This bill would
exempt from that provision a municipality with a
population of 25,000 or less through which the Bosque
River runs. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 536 |
Truitt
Wentworth
|
Relating to the consent required for a municipality
to annex a water or sewer district. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 43, Local Government Code,
is amended to establish an annexation procedure for a
specific set of facts relating to annexation of an area
in a water or sewer district that is wholly or partly in
the overlapping ETJ of two or more municipalities. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 556 |
Hilderbran
Fraser
|
Relating to the requirements for accessibility to
voting equipment by persons with disabilities in certain
elections and reimbursement from state funds for costs
associated with a special election held statewide. |
| General Remarks: |
Amends the enabling act of the
Hickory UWCD No. 1 to exempt the district from the reqt
to provide handicapped accessible voting machines in its
elections. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 49, Water Code, is amended
to require a district, for a contract over $250,000, to
accept a bid bond in the amount required by the district
as a bid deposit if the bid bond meets certain other
requirements. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 604 |
Howard, Donna
Wentworth
|
Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax
purposes of certain land used for wildlife management
under a conservation easement. |
| Companions: |
SB 133 (Identical)
|
| General Remarks: |
The Tax Code is amended to ensure
that land devoted principally to wildlife management to
the degree generally accepted in the area qualifies for
appraisal as open-space land regardless of the manner in
which the land was used the preceding year. The
definition of "wildlife management" is expanded. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
01-01-08 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 713 |
Callegari
Seliger
|
Relating to the authority of a fresh water supply
district to issue bonds or to enter into a contract to
convey property to another water district or water
supply corporation. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 53, Water Code, is amended
to authorize a fresh water supply district to enter into
a contract with another water district or water supply
corporation to acquire through various means, maintain,
improve and convey water, wastewater, and drainage
facilities. A fresh water supply district may issue
bonds and secure indebtedness for any purpose authorized
by Chapter 53 or Chapter 49, Water Code. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 891 |
Hilderbran
Fraser
|
Relating to water rights Permit No. 5394A issued to
the Upper Guadalupe River Authority. |
| Companions: |
SB 713 (Identical)
|
| General Remarks: |
A special condition in the permit
is voided. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 899 |
Smith, Wayne
Deuell
|
Relating to the operation and functions of the Texas
Board of Professional Engineers and the regulation of
the practice of engineering. |
| Companions: |
SB 320 (Identical)
|
| General Remarks: |
The Occupations Code is amended
relating to travel expenses and the appointment of
officers of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers.
An engineer 65 years of age or older is exempted from
certain license renewal fees. See also SB320. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| Companions: |
SB 486 (Identical)
|
| General Remarks: |
Track only. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Section 5.128(a), Water Code, is
amended to authorize the TCEQ to adjust fees as
necessary to encourage electronic reporting and the use
of the TCEQ's electronic document retrieving system.
|
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 2252, Government Code, is
amended. A governmental contract may not provide for the
award of attorney's fees to the governmental entity in a
dispute in which the entity prevails unless the contract
provides for the award of attorney's fees to each party
to the contract if that party prevails in the dispute.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1311 |
Bonnen
Janek
|
Relating to requiring certain municipalities to
disannex land owned by a navigation district. |
| General Remarks: |
This is a bracketed bill requiring
a municipality to disannex land owned by a navigation
district. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-23-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1312 |
Bonnen
Janek
|
Relating to the annexation by certain municipalities
of land owned by a navigation district. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 43, Local Government Code,
is amended requiring a city with a population less than
50,000 to obtain consent of a navigation district before
annexing land owned by the district. See also HB 1311.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-23-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Section 412.007, Local Government
Code, is amended to authorize a county with a population
of 3.3 million or more under certain circumstances to
prohibit a person from installing an on-site sewage
disposal system or a water well when the lot has access
to a water or sewer system. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 341, Health and Safety
Code, is amended to require sufficient water pressure
for service to fire hydrants to certain residential
areas served by an investor-owned utility within a
municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1471 |
Hancock
Brimer
|
Relating to resource sharing among certain political
subdivisions, including regional planning commissions,
during a disaster. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended to authorize the sharing of resources bu local
entities during declared emergencies. A political
subdivision that borrows equipment or other insured
property must obtain appropriate insurance coverage.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1495 |
Callegari
Nichols
|
Relating to a bill of rights for property owners
whose property may be acquired by governmental or
private entities through the use of eminent domain
authority. |
| General Remarks: |
This bill is cited as the
Landowner's Bill of Rights Act. Chapter 402, Government
Code, is amended to require the Attorney General to
prepare a bill of rights for a property owner whose
property may be acquired through the use of eminent
domain. Chapter 21, Property Code, is amended to require
a governmental or private entity, before initiating
negotiations with a property onwer to acquire real
property, to provide the property owner with the
landowner's bill of rights. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
02-01-08 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1498 |
Hopson
Eltife
|
Relating to the creation of the Panola County
Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
The Panola County Groundwater
Conservation District is created coextensive with the
boundaries of Panola County. A confirmation election is
required. The district will operate generally under
Chapter 36, Water Code. The bill contains limitations on
both the tax rate and production fees. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1565 |
Puente
Uresti
|
Relating to the powers and duties of the Bexar
Metropolitan Water District. |
| General Remarks: |
The enabling legislation of the
Bexar Metropolitan Water District is amended to require
the district to provide numerous reports, to require the
TCEQ to perform a management audit of the district, and
to establish an oversight committee for the district.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1652 |
Macias
Fraser
|
Relating to the provision of forms for personal
financial statements filed with the Texas Ethics
Commission. |
| General Remarks: |
Section 572.030, Government Code,
is amended to require the Ethics Commission to provide
notice to state officials of requirements to file
financial statements. Officials to receive notice
include board members of river authorities. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 401, Local Government
Code, is amended to require a municipality with a
population of 20,000 or more to adopt and enforce
standards for the design, installation and operation of
a(landscape) irrigation system consistent with the State
program already administered by the TCEQ. Chapter 49,
Water Code, is amended to provide a water district with
similar permissive authority. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1841 |
Bonnen
Janek
|
Relating to the presumption of validity of an act or
proceeding of a navigation district, its governing body,
or certain corporations of the district. |
| General Remarks: |
Track only. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 1886 |
Callegari
West, Royce
|
Relating to the procurement methods of certain
political subdivisions and certain other entities for
the construction, rehabilitation, alteration, or repair
of certain projects. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 271, Local Government
Code, is amended to establish design-build procedures
for local governments for civil works projects,
including water and wastewater. The applicability of the
procedures are phased in over the next four years based
on the population of an entity's service area. The
number of projects for which a local government may use
these procedures annually is also limited based on
population. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Various codes are amended to
ensure that entities make a bona fide offer to acquire
property voluntarily before exercising eminent domain
and to require that property is only taken for a public
use. The governing body of a governmental entity must
take an official action before exercising eminent
domain. A property owner may construct streets or roads
over easements over their property. A property owner
must be given an opportunity to repurchase condemned
property under certain conditions. Condemnation actions
for the state highway system that diminish the value of
property as a result of reduced access may require
compensation (some suggest the Governor may veto the
bill as a result of this provision). |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Vetoed by the Governor
|
|
HB 2018 |
Brown, Betty
Deuell
|
Relating to eligibility for a municipal setting
designation related to potential impacts to groundwater
quality of solid waste activities. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 361, Health and Safety
Code, is amended to remove the limitation on the size of
a city within which a municpal setting designation may
occur. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-25-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2070 |
Guillen
Zaffirini
|
Relating to the confirmation election of the Duval
County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
Extends the time to confirm the
Duval County Groundwater Conservation District to
September 1, 2009. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2072 |
Guillen
Zaffirini
|
Relating to the appointment of temporary directors
and the confirmation election of the Starr County
Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
Legislation authorizing the
creation of the Starr County Groundwater Conservation
District is amended to dissolve the district if not
confirmed by September 1, 2009, and to provide for
appointment of temporary directors. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA Legislative Committee, All
Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2365 |
Truitt
Duncan
|
Relating to financial accounting and reporting for
this state and political subdivisions of this state. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 2264, Government Code, is
amended to require the state and each political
subdivision of the state to use certain financial
accounting and reporting standards. A modified accrual
method may be used for certain finanacial activities.
Accounting for post-employment benefits is also
addressed. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2482 |
Cook, Robby
Estes
|
Relating to the requirements regarding persons who
service or maintain on-site sewage disposal systems. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 366, Health and Safety
Code, is amended to provide the TCEQ with more
discretion to establish conditions under which the owner
of an on-site sewage disposal system using aerobic
treatment may maintain in lieu of entering into a
maintenance contract. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2564 |
Hancock
Wentworth
|
Relating to the authority of a governmental body to
require the payment of a charge before complying with
certain requests for the production of public
information or for copies of public information. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 552, Government Code, is
amended to authorize a governmental body to impose
reasonable limits on the time spent responding to
requests for information. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2618 |
Guillen
Zaffirini
|
Relating to authorizing political subdivisions to
lease property owned by the political subdivision to
other governmental entities without following
competitive purchasing procedures. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 272, Local Government
Code, is amended to authorize a governmental entity
under certain circumstances to lease property to another
political subdivision without using competitive bidding
procedures. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-25-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2654 |
Puente
Duncan
|
Relating to the regulation of the use of an
injection well to inject nonhazardous brine from a
desalination operation or to inject nonhazardous
drinking water treatment residuals. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 27, Water Code, is amended
to authorize the TCEQ to issue a general permit for the
use of a Class I injection well to inject non-hazardous
brine from a desalination operation or to inject
non-hazardous drinking water residuals. |
| Track Code(s): |
(Master List Only), TGWA- Bills
Passed, TGWA Legislative Committee, Dean's Priority
List, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills
Passed, confluence, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 2910 |
Gattis
Ogden
|
Relating to the authority of certain municipalities
to regulate certain quarry activities. |
| General Remarks: |
This is a bracketed bill applying
only to a quarry owned or leased by a particular
municipality and located within the boundaries of
another municipality. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 53, Water Code, is amended
to modify the requisites for a petition to create a
fresh water supply district. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 53, Water Code, is amended
to require that to be qualified for election as a
supervisor to a fresh water supply district, a person
must be a resident of Texas, an owner of taxable
property in the district, and at least 18 years if age.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Provisions for water treatment
specialists in the Health and Safety Code are moved to
the Occupations Code. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3098 |
Puente
Averitt
|
Relating to the fees imposed by the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality in connection with plans that
are subject to review and approval under the
commission's rules for the protection of the Edwards
Aquifer. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended
to increase the cap on fees the TCEQ may impose for
water pollution abatement plans and plans for sewage
collection systems, and to further authorize the
collection of fees for contribuing zone plans. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3353 |
Haggerty
Shapleigh
|
Relating to the repeal of the authority of certain
water supply or sewer service corporations to dissolve
and transfer assets and liabilities to a municipality. |
| General Remarks: |
Subchapter B, Chapter 67, Water
Code, relating to the authority to dissolve a water
supply corporation and transfer the assets to a
municipality, is repealed. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3378 |
Truitt
Brimer
|
Relating to the requirements governing municipal
consent to the creation or expansion of certain water
districts. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 54, Water Code, relating
to municipal utility districts, is amended to authorize
a certain city, in its written consent to the inclusion
of land in a district, to require a district water
facility to meet fire flow requirements adopted by the
city. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3475 |
Gallego
Uresti
|
Relating to the authority of certain counties to
acquire, construct, or operate a water supply system or
sewage system and own or operate a utility. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 412, Local Government
Code, is amended to authorize certain counties along the
Rio Grande to operate a water or sewer system in the
same manner as a municipality. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
The authority of a municipality to
use the competitive sealed proposal procedure is
expanded to the purchase of all goods or services. |
| Track Code(s): |
TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3693 |
Straus
Fraser
|
Relating to energy demand, energy load, energy
efficiency incentives, energy programs, and energy
performance measures. |
| General Remarks: |
The Education, Government, Health
and Safety, and Utilities Codes are amended to require
governmental entities to adopt energy efficiency
programs. Local governments are required to record and
report the consumption and cost for electricity, natural
gas, and water on a publicly accessible internet web
site, or at another publicly accessible location. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3770 |
Puente
Hegar
|
Relating to the acquisition of road powers by a
municipal utility district. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 54, Water Code, is amended
to further specify the authority of a municipal utility
district to design, construct, and finance roads. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3776 |
Puente
Averitt
|
Relating to the authority of the Texas Water
Development Board to approve the regional water plan for
Region L and include the plan in the state water plan. |
| General Remarks: |
The TWDB is authorized to approve
the late-filed Region L Water Plan under certain
conditions. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Numerous changes are made to the
Texas Uranium, Surface Mining, and Reclamation Act,
particularly related to exploration wells associated
with in situ mining activites. Monitor wells and rig
supply wells used in conjunction with exploration are
subject to certain requirements of groundwater
conservation districts when the cumulative amount of
water produced at one facility in any one year exceeds
40 acre-feet. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, Dean's Priority List, All Bills
Of Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 3995 |
Chisum
Duncan
|
Relating to the name, administration, powers, and
duties of the Collingsworth County Underground Water
Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
The enabling legislation of the
district is amended to alter the make-up of the Board,
allow the district to change its name, and update
statutory references. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 4009 |
Hilderbran
Uresti
|
Relating to the name, directors, and elections of
the Emerald Underground Water Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
The name of the Emerald
Underground Water Conservation District is changed to
the Crockett County Groundwater Conservation District.
Provisions related to director qualifications and
elections are also changed. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 4028 |
Geren
Brimer
|
Relating to the creation of the Northern Trinity
Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
THe Northern Trinity Groundwater
Conservation District, coextensive with the boundaries
of Tarrant County, is created. No confirmation election
is required. The district has the powers and duties
provided by Chapter 36, Water Code, except the district
does not have the power of eminent domain or the
authority to impose a tax or issue bonds. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
HB 4029 |
Morrison
Hegar
|
Relating to the creation of the Lavaca County
Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
The Lavaca County Groundwater
Conservation District is authorized for creation subject
to a confirmation election. The district generally has
the powers and duties as provided by Chapter 36, Watr
Code. The district may not require metering of exempt
wells. The district may not exercise the power of
eminent domain. Wells completed before the district
adopts spacing rules are not subject to spacing
requirements. Taxes may not exceed five cents per $100
of valuation. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
The Colorado County Groundwater
Conservation District is created contingent on a
confirmation election. The powers and duties of the
district are generally consistent with Chapter 36, Water
Code, with a few exceptions. For example the district is
not granted the power of eminent domain. The district's
tax rate may not exceed three cents per $100 of assessed
valuation. Certain acts of the 77th legislature in 2001
are repealed. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
The enabling legislation of the
Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District is
amended to authorize the district to impose certain
production and export fees. Limits on the district's
authority to impose fees or require meters for domestic
and agricultural wells are clarified. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 3 |
Averitt
Puente
|
Relating to the development, management, and
preservation of the water resources of the state. |
| General Remarks: |
This omnibus water bill creates a
local stakeholder driven process to develop
recommemdations for providing needed flows for rivers
and bay systems for wildlife, promotes water
conservation and land stewardship, and protects future
reservoir sites and unique stream segments from certain
future actions. Protections for landowners in designated
reservoir sites are provided. Relating to groundwater,
the bill amends the enabling legislation of the Edwards
Aquifer Authority, creates the Tablerock Groundwater
Conservation District in Coryell County, expands the
boundaries of the Culberson County Groundwater
Conservation District, and provides additional authority
for groundwater districts in the Hill Country PGMA to
regulate the pumping of groundwater into lakes for
appearance purposes. The bill also abolishes the Texas
Water Advisory Council and creates a joint interim
committee to review alternatives for water
infrastructure finanacing. Many of these provisions are
also contained in HB3 and HB4. Numerous other issues are
addressed in SB3. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, Dean's Priority List, All Bills
Of Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence,
TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-16-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 61 |
Zaffirini
McClendon
|
Relating to the performance of the functions of the
governing body of a political subdivision in the event
of a disaster. |
| General Remarks: |
Provides for certain relaxed reqts
so that a govt entity located in a declared disaster
area can continue its operations following a
catastrophic event. Allows govt entity to: 1) delegate
any administrative duty of the governing body or any
employee, 2) establish orders of succession for
essential functions, and 3) establish mtg procedures.
Also allows the govt entity to meet in numbers less than
a quorum. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 178 |
Wentworth
Rose
|
Relating to working papers and electronic
communications of State Office of Administrative
Hearings administrative law judges. |
| General Remarks: |
Section 152, Government Code, is
amended to except certain electronic communications of
an administrative law judge at SOAH from public
disclosure requirements. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
The enabling legislation of the
Bee Groundwater Conservation District is codified in the
Special District Local Laws Code. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-23-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 484 |
Fraser
King, Phil
|
Relating to the powers, duties, and composition of
the electric utility restructuring legislative oversight
committee. |
| General Remarks: |
Track only. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-23-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 592 |
Wentworth
Parker
|
Relating to special notice to the news media of the
meeting of a governmental body in certain situations
under the open meetings law. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 551, Government Code, is
amended to allow notice to the news media of certain
emergency meetings by telephone, facsimile transmission,
or electronic mail. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 610 |
Duncan
Heflin
|
Relating to the boundaries, powers, and governance
of the Salt Fork Water Quality District. |
| General Remarks: |
Local bill. Track only. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 616 |
Duncan
Puente
|
Relating to the protection and use of intellectual
property by the executive administrator of the Texas
Water Development Board. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 6, Water Code, is amended
to authorize the TWDB to obtain a patent, copyright,
trademark or other protections for intellectual
property. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 657 |
Seliger
Puente
|
Relating to the threshold amount at which certain
water districts are required to solicit competitive bids
before awarding certain contracts and to the ability of
such districts to enter those contracts. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 49, Water Code, is amended
to raise the thresholds for advertising and bidding
requirements from $15,000/$25,000 to $25,000/$50,000.
The newspaper notice requirement is reduced from three
to two consecutive weeks. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 662 |
Wentworth
Hilderbran
|
Relating to transmittal to the Texas Water
Development Board and a local groundwater conservation
district of certain information by a person applying to
subdivide a tract of land. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapters 212 and 232, Local
Government Code, currently provide that a city or county
may require a person submitting a plat for a subdvision
involving the use of groundwater to provide
certification of the availabiltiy of groundwater for the
project. The TCEQ is authorized to establish the
appropriate form and content of the certification. This
bill directs the TCEQ, in consultation with the TWDB, to
further require that the subdivider provide useful
information to the TWDB and to any applicable
groundwater district. |
| Track Code(s): |
(Master List Only), TGWA- Bills
Passed, TGWA Legislative Committee, Dean's Priority
List, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills
Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
Section 402.044, Local Government
Code, relating to municipal drainage systems, is amended
to modify a bracketed provision allowing the extension
of a drainage utility service area outside of municipal
boundaries. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 707 |
Lucio
Flores
|
Relating to the powers and duties of the Rio Grande
Regional Water Authority and the establishment of a
member conference. |
| General Remarks: |
The enabling legislation of the
authority is amended. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 714 |
Fraser
Puente
|
Relating to reports regarding certain water wells
required by a groundwater conservation district. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 36, Water Code, is amended
to authorize a groundwater district to require water use
reporting from the owner or operator of a well that is
required to be registered with or permitted by the
district, except for a well used for domestic or
livestock purposes and exempt under Section
36.117(b)(1). |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, Dean's Priority List, All Bills
Of Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence,
TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 747 |
Watson
Bolton
|
Relating to the authority of the Barton
Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District to charge
certain fees and limit groundwater production during a
drought. |
| General Remarks: |
The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer
Conservation District is removed from fee provisions in
Chapter 36, Water Code. The enabling legislation of the
district is amended to authorize higher production fees
for new non-agricultural use permits and certain permits
to be renewed. Restrictions on permitting during drought
conditions are prescribed. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 781 |
Lucio
Pickett
|
Relating to remedies available if a subdivider fails
to provide water or sewer services in certain
subdivisions near an international border. |
| General Remarks: |
Section 232.038, Local Government
Code, is amended to increase damages recoverable from a
subdivider that does not provide required water and
sewer services in an economically distressed area. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1012 |
Williams
Eissler
|
Relating to the establishment of regional
participation agreements between certain municipalities
and districts. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 43, Local Government Code,
is amended to authorize regional participation
agreements to authorize certain regional participation
agreements. The bill is bracketed to apply only to a
certain city and special district. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-14-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1037 |
Duncan
Darby
|
Relating to the prevention of surface water or
groundwater pollution from certain evaporation pits. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended
to establish regulatory requirements for evaporation
pits operated for the commercial production of brine
water, minerals, salts, or other substances that
naturally occur therein and that are not regulated by
the Railroad Commission. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1207 |
Hegar
Smith, Wayne
|
Relating to the removal by the county commissioners
court of appointed special district board members who
engage in misconduct. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 177 is added to the Local
Govt Code to authorize a county commissioners court to
remove a director it appointed to a board of a special
district located wholly or partly within that county if
the director is guilty of "misconduct." "Misconduct" is
defined. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1271 |
West, Royce
Giddings
|
Relating to county authority to acquire a water or
sewer utility system and provide water and sewer
services within a municipality. |
| General Remarks: |
Section 412.016, Local Government
Code, is amended to authorize a county, with the
approval of the municipality, to own and operate a water
or sewer utility within the municipality. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1306 |
Wentworth
Goolsby
|
Relating to the attendance by a quorum of a
governmental body at certain events under the open
meetings law. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 551, Government Code, is
amended to exclude a ceremonial meeting or press
conference from the requirements of open meetings
provisions. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-22-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1383 |
Seliger
Smithee
|
Relating to district hearings and citizen suits for
illegally drilling or operating a water well. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 36, Water Code, is amended
to clarify the authority for a civil suit against the
owner of a well drilled or operated without a required
permit or producing groundwater in violation of a
groundwater district rule. A suit may be brought by an
adjacent landowner, or a person who has a right to
produce groundwater within one-half mile of the well in
question, to stop the illegal activity and for damages.
|
| Track Code(s): |
(Master List Only), TGWA- Bills
Passed, TGWA Legislative Committee, Dean's Priority
List, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills
Passed, confluence, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1436 |
West, Royce
Creighton
|
Relating to the transfer of responsibility for the
National Flood Insurance Program from the Commission on
Environmental Quality to the Water Development Board. |
| General Remarks: |
The National Flood Insurance
Program is transferred from the TCEQ to the TWDB, and
funding is increased by $3.05 million annually. |
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, confluence, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1526 |
Hegar
Guillen
|
Relating to regulation by the Brookshire-Katy
Drainage District of the construction of drainage
facilities or improvements. |
| General Remarks: |
The enabling legislation of the
Brookshire-Katy Drainage District is amended. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1613 |
Duncan
Hilderbran
|
Relating to the payment of damages awarded against
members of local governments, including directors of
soil and water conservation districts. |
| General Remarks: |
Chapter 201, Agriculture Code, is
amended to provide immunity from individual liability
for directors of soil and water conservaion districts
for any act incident to their responsibilities. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1762 |
Shapleigh
Guillen
|
Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development
Board regarding the impact of climate change on surface
water supplies from the portion of the Rio Grande in
Texas subject to the Rio Grande Compact. |
| General Remarks: |
The TWDB, in consultation with the
Far West Texas Regional Planning group, is required to
conduct a study regarding the possible impact of climate
change on surface water supplies from the Rio Grande.
|
| Track Code(s): |
Dean's Priority List, All Bills Of
Interest, TWCA- Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of
Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1833 |
Duncan
Swinford
|
Relating to the administration and powers of the
Canadian River Municipal Water Authority. |
| General Remarks: |
Track only. |
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
09-01-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1950 |
Duncan
Hardcastle
|
Relating to the name, governing body, and boundaries
of the Tri-County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
The Tri-County Groundwater
Conservation District is renamed the Gateway Groundwater
Conservation District and the district will now include
only Foard and Hardeman Counties (Wilbarger County is
removed). |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-23-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1981 |
Hegar
Cook, Robby
|
Relating to the terms of office for directors of the
Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
A section of the enabling act of
the district is repealed. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
05-23-07 G Earliest effective date
|
| General Remarks: |
The Upper Trinity Groundwater
Conservation District is created co-extensive with the
boundaries of Hood, Montague, Parker and Wise Counties.
A confirmation election is required. The district will
operate generally under Chapter 36, Water Code, with
certain exceptions. The district will not have taxing
authority. Fees may not exceed $1 per acre-foot annually
for groundwater used for agriculture and $0.30 per
thousand gallons for groundwater used for other
purposes. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 1985 |
Averitt
Dunnam
|
Relating to the creation of the McLennan County
Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: |
The McLennan County Groundwater
District is created coextensive with the boundaries of
McLennan County. A confirmation election is required.
The district will operate generally under Chapter 36,
Water Code. The TCEQ is directed to dissolve the
district as soon as practicable after September 1, 2011,
if the district boundaries at that time do not include
at least one county adjacent to McLennan county. The
district may not impose a user fee for agricultural use
that is more tha 20% of the fee imposed for municipal
use. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Priority Bills Passed, TWCA- Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SB 2029 |
Zaffirini
Garcia
|
Relating to the election of directors of the San
Patricio County Groundwater Conservation District and to
the validation of certain acts of the district. |
| General Remarks: |
Procedures for the election of
directors of the San Patricio County Groundwater
District by precinct are specified. Certain acts of the
district are validated. |
| Track Code(s): |
TGWA- Bills Passed, TGWA
Legislative Committee, All Bills Of Interest, TWCA-
Bills of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
06-15-07 G Earliest effective date
|
|
SJR 20 |
Lucio
Chavez
|
Relating to the issuance of additional general
obligation bonds by the Water Development Board to
provide assistance to economically distressed areas. |
| General Remarks: |
A constitutional amendment is
proposed to authorize the TWDB to issue additional
general obligation bonds for the economically distressed
areas program in an amount not to exceed $250 million.
|
| Track Code(s): |
All Bills Of Interest, TWCA- Bills
of Interest Passed |
| Bill History: |
11-06-07 G Election date
|
|
|
