TWCA Bills of Interest Passed (81st Texas Legislature)
06-24-2009 - 09:59:12
HB 469
|
King, Phil Seliger |
Relating to the establishment of incentives by this state for the implementation of certain projects to capture and sequester carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 490, Government Code, is amended to authorize the comptroller to issue a franchise tax credit for a clean energy project. Various other codes are amended to address the requirements for a new electric generating facility to qualify as a clean energy project. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 551
|
Madden Harris |
Relating to the electronic transmission of a federal postcard application used for voting. |
| General Remarks: | Section 101, Election Code, is amended to authorize persons eligible for early voting via a "federal postcard application" to submit the application by mail or electronically. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 753
|
Gonzalez
Toureilles Hegar |
Relating to the date for electing directors of the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The date for electing directors is changed. |
| Last Action: | 5-12-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 783
|
Pickett Shapleigh |
Relating to the liability of an electric utility that allows recreational use of land that the utility owns, occupies, or leases. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 75, Civil Practices and Remedies Code, is amended to limit the liability of certain electric utilities that sign an agreement with a political subdivision to allow for public access or use of the premises for recreation. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 857
|
Laubenberg Estes |
Relating to the penalty for certain outdoor burning violations. |
| General Remarks: | Cahpter 7, Water Code, is amended to specify the penalties for outdoor burning as prohibited under Section 382.018, Health and Safety Code. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 865
|
Swinford Hegar |
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 776, Government Code, is added to create the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee, consisting of representatives of named state agencies, to facilitate governmental efforts, including efforts of local governments and special districts, to prevent and manage invasive species. The committee will be staffed by the State Soil and Water Conservation Board. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 987
|
Creighton West |
Relating to competitive procurement requirements for local governments. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Various codes are amended to raise the threshold that triggers competitive bidding for local governments to $50,000. Other minor changes are made. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1174
|
Hartnett Watson |
Relating to payment by a municipality or river authority for certain damages caused by the municipality's or river authority's operating of a sanitary sewer system. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 552, Local Government Code, is amended to allow a municipality or a river authority to pay actual property damages arising from the backup of its sewer system regardless of whether it is liable for the damages under Chapter 101, Civil Practices and Remedies Code. The authorization does not constitute a waiver of sovereign immnunity. The bill does not apply to the Trinity River Authority, the San Jacinto River Authority, the Sabine River Authority, or the Lower Neches Valley Authority. The bill applies to any damages occurring after March 1, 2007. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1178
|
Guillen Zaffirini |
Relating to the creation of the Starr County Drainage District. |
| General Remarks: | Local bill. track only. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1295
|
Aycock Averitt |
Relating to notification of an application related to a certificate of public convenience and necessity for water or sewer service. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended to require the TCEQ to provide notice of an application for a CCN to each county and groundwater district in the area proposed to be certified. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1433
|
Lucio III Averitt |
Relating to the amount of the annual water quality fee imposed on holders of wastewater discharge permits and on users of water. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended to increase the maximum annual fee the TCEQ may assess on a wastewater discharge permit, or a water rights permit or contract, from $75,000 currently to $100,000 on September 1, 2009. The fee will then be adjusted for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index on September 1 of each year up to a maximum of $150,000. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1518
|
Corte Wentworth |
Relating to the addition of territory to and the amount of production fees imposed by the Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: | The enabling legislation of the district is amended to cap production fees on non-exempt wells and to address procedures for the inclusion of land in the district. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1579
|
Gonzales Lucio |
Relating to a county's removal of flood water resulting from a natural disaster in certain communities. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 561, Local Government Code, is amended to authorize a county to provide assistance in the removal of flood water from a colonia. Colonia is defined. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1664
|
King, Phil Estes |
Relating to an exemption for groundwater used for certain purposes from production fees assessed by the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: | Water used by a fire department or emergency services district for emergency purposes is exempt from the district's production fees. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1922
|
Martinez Fischer Uresti |
Relating to the authorization of certain reuse water system contributions and discharges. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 26, Water Code, is amended to allow an agency of a home rule municipality with a population of one million or more to operate mutiple reclaimed water faciliites as a system. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1923
|
Heflin Duncan |
Relating to the Irion County Water Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The district's enabling legislation is updated. The district operates in many respects under Chapter 36, Water Code, and certain subchapters of Chapter 49. Water Code. |
| Last Action: | 5-23-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 1972
|
Hamilton Williams |
Relating to contracts and purchase by certain navigation districts. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 60, Water Code, is amended to raise the threshold for contracting without using formal bidding procedures from $25,000 to $50,000. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2004
|
McCall Ellis |
Relating to a breach of computer security involving sensitive personal information and to the protection of sensitive personal information and certain protected health information. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The Government Code is amended to require a state or local government to notify an individual whose computerized personal information has been acquired through a breach of system security by an unauthorized person who may reasonably be expected to commit identity theft. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2063
|
Callegari Duncan |
Relating to the enforcement of rules by a groundwater conservation district. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: |
Chapter 36, Water Code, is amended to clarify that a groundwater district may enforce this chapter and its rules "against any person". The bill further specifies that limits on the amount of fees, costs, and penalties contained in Chapter 36, or under a special law governing a district operating under this chapter, constitute a limit of liability in an enforcement action against a governmental entity. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2259
|
Crownover Duncan |
Relating to the plugging of inactive oil or gas wells and to standards for electrical power lines serving certain oil and gas facilities. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 89, Natural Resources Code, is amended to establish additional requirements and deadlines for the for the plugging of inactive oil and gas wells. Standards are established for the extension of deadlines by the Railroad Commission. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2310
|
Kuempel Williams |
Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, including the power to issue emergency orders and temporary and emergency licenses. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended relating to the general authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Issues addressed include criteria for removal of advisory board members; method of payment of fees; issuance of emergency orders, subpoenas, and cease and desist orders; license eligibility requirements; procedures for placing a license on inactive statues; collection of fees for adminstering a license examination; and, the issuance of a temporary or emergency license. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2348
|
Dutton Whitmire |
Relating to a contract between a water district and a municipality for the provision of fire-fighting services in certain counties. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 49, Water Code, is amended to authorize a district located in a county with a population of 3.3 million and meeting other specific conditions to be disannnexed from an emergency services district. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2374
|
Guillen Lucio |
Relating to financial assistance by the Texas Water Development Board for the connection of residences in economically distressed areas to public water supply and sanitary sewer systems. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 17, Water Code, is amended to allow a political subdivision to use money from the economically distressed areas account administered by the TWDB to pay for indoor plumbing costs to certain residences. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2548
|
Kuempel Williams |
Relating to membership of certain advisory bodies to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Laws relating to the TDLRs authority to appoint adivsory boards are amended. However, no specific changes are made to the chapters on water well drillers and pump installers. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2649
|
Smith, Wayne Deuell |
Relating to the regulation and practice of engineering. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Track only. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2666
|
Ritter Williams |
Relating to the authority of the Lower Neches Valley Authority to acquire, own, operate, maintain, and improve the Devers Canal System, its water rights, and associated property. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The enabling legislation of the Lower Neches Valley Authority is amended to authorize it to acquire and own the Devers Canal System and associated water rights, to operate, maintain, and improve the system, and to enlarge and expand the system east of the Trinity River in Chambers, Liberty and Jefferson Counties. The LNVA may sell water for any purpose approved by the TCEQ. The Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District is given the right of first refusal to sell water for non-irrigation purposes in Chambers County outside of LNVA's boundaries. |
| Last Action: | 5-12-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2685
|
Callegari Nichols |
Relating to the landowner's bill of rights. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 21, Property Code, is amended to require an entity with eminent domain authority to provide a landowner's bill of rights statement to a landowner at least 7 days before making a final offer. An entity must also provide a copy of the bill of rights to a landowner before or at the same time the entity first represents it has eminent domain authority. |
| Last Action: | 1-15-10 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2808
|
Thompson West |
Relating to the power of a licensing authority to revoke, suspend, or deny a license on the basis of certain criminal proceedings. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 53, Occupations Code, is amended to further specify when a licensing authority may consider a person to have been convicted of an offense. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 2820
|
Chisum Wentworth |
Relating to contracts by governmental entities for professional services relating to geoscience and landscape architecture. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 2254, Government Code, is amended to require the same procedures for contracting with a professional geoscientist as are required for other professional services. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Vetoed by the Governor |
HB 2906
|
Kuempel Wentworth |
Relating to the expansion of the boundaries of the Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority. |
| General Remarks: | Local bill. Track only. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3031
|
Keffer Estes |
Relating to the sale by the Brazos River Authority of certain residential and commercial leased lots and other real property in the immediate vicinity of Possum Kingdom Lake. |
| General Remarks: |
BRA is required to sell certain leased property and undeveloped strips of property around Possum Kingdom Lake.The future use of the property is restricted.
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| Last Action: | 5-27-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3032
|
Keffer Estes |
Relating to the sale of certain property at Possum Kingdom Lake by the Brazos River Authority. |
| General Remarks: | BRA is required to sell certain undeveloped "land-locked" property at Possum Kingdom Lake to adjacent property owners under certain terms and conditions. |
| Last Action: | 5-27-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3108
|
Parker Harris |
Relating to an interim study of recreational boating safety in Texas. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | An advisory panel appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker is created to conduct a study assessing current conditions and making recommendations regarding boating safety, including the impact of requiring boat owner liability insurance and the effectiveness of law enforcement on lakes and rivers. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3140
|
Gonzalez
Toureilles Hegar |
Relating to authorizing the transfer of certain abandoned or forfeited property to groundwater conservation districts. |
| General Remarks: | The Code of Criminal Procedure is amended to add a groundwater district to the list of entities elegible to acquire property that comes into the posession of a law enforcement agency. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3391
|
Harper-Brown Hegar |
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Parks and Wildlife Department; changing the elements of an offense. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | This is the sunset bill for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Section 7 of the bill as finally passed amends Section 12.0011 of the Parks and Wildlife Code to require a written response from an agency with statewide jurisdiction that receives written recommendations or information from TPWD pursuant to that section. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3544
|
Lucio III Fraser |
Relating to certain actions and managing certain information, including electronic notices by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, electronically stored information, confidentiality of e-mail addresses. |
| General Remarks: | Various codes, including Chapter 5, Water Code, are amended to further authorize the use of electronic communications. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3785
|
Callegari Ellis |
Relating to the powers and duties of a navigation district or port authority. |
| General Remarks: | Track only. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 3861
|
Hopson Nichols |
Relating to the financing by the Texas Water Development Board of the proposed Lake Columbia reservoir project. |
| General Remarks: | The legislature makes findings to ensure that the Lake Columbia reservoir project is eleigible for state participation by the TWDB for up to 50% of the total project costs. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4043
|
Callegari Hegar |
Relating to notifications to certain purchasers of real property that may be located in an area subject to a certificate of convenience and necessity for water or sewer service. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended with respect to the requirement to notify a puchaser of property withn a CCN. The exemption from notification for property within a city is clarified to apply only when the system is municiaplly owned. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4110
|
Martinez Fischer Uresti |
Relating to the purchase, donation, and sale of promotional items by the Texas Water Development Board. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 6, Water Code, is amended to authorize the TWDB to purchase, donate, or sell promotional items such as clothing. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4231
|
Ritter Eltife |
Relating to the conveyancing or transfer in this state of water imported into this state from a source located outside this state. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended to authorize the use of the bed and banks of any natural stream to transport water under contract imported from out of state (except water imported from Mexico). Water imported from out of state and transported using the bed and banks is exempted from IBT requirements. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4409
|
Taylor Jackson, Mike |
Relating to emergency preparation and management. |
| General Remarks: | The bill as finally passed relates primarily to windstorm insurance. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4706
|
King, Tracy Uresti |
Relating to the compensation of a member of the board of directors of the Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Local bill. Track only. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4713
|
Miller, Doug Wentworth |
Relating to certain exemptions from ad valorem taxes imposed by the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The district may provide for exemptions from property taxes as provided by Section 11.32, Tax Code. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4762
|
King, Tracy Uresti |
Relating to the territory of and the validation of certain governmental acts and proceedings of the Edwards Aquifer Authority. |
| General Remarks: | Several tracts are added to the territory of the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Certain acts of the Authority are validated. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
HB 4785
|
Weber Jackson, Mike |
Relating to the powers and financing of the Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: | An election date is changed and production fees are capped at 17 cents per thousand gallons. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
HJR 14
|
Corte Duncan |
Relating to the limiting the public taking of private property, establishing the national research university fund to fund emerging research universities, and eliminating the higher education fund. |
| General Remarks: | A constitutional amendment is proposed to clarify that a taking of property for "public use" does not include the taking of property for transfer to a private entity for the primary purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues. The amendment also proposes that on or after January 1, 2010, the legislature may enact a law granting the power of eminent domain only on a two-thirds vote of each house. |
| Last Action: | 11-
3-09 G Election date |
SB 1
|
Ogden Pitts |
General Appropriations Bill for the 2010-2011 biennium. |
| General Remarks: |
Some of the highlights for water funding based on issues debated during the session are as follows. The TCEQ continues to receive approximately $9.4 million dollars per year in General Revenue to fund existing water activities. The agency will also receive an additional $2.5 million of General Revenue for the biennium for enhancements to the dam safety program, $0.5 million for a study of the management of the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, and $5.4 million for certain administrative costs. The agency is expected to increase fees (Consolidated Water Quality Fee, Water Use Fee, Public Health Service Fee) deposited to Fund 153 by approximately $18.7 million per year to fund agency water programs. These three fees today generate approximately $23 million per year. The fee package is scheduled for consideration on the July 8th Commission agenda. The TWDB was authorized to issue an additional $470 million in bonds backed by new appropriations of $46.5 million. This was in addition to baseline appropriations for debt service from the prior biennium for the issuance of $312.7 million in bonds. That makes $782.7 million available overall in the coming biennium. The environmental flows process authorized by SB3 was also fully funded for the coming biennium. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 229
|
West Callegari |
Relating to the procurement methods authorized for public projects by certain local governments. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: |
Section 27.182, Local Government Code, is amended to remove dated language regarding the phasing of applicable provisions. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 361
|
Patrick, Dan Callegari |
Relating to the requirement that water and sewer service providers ensure operations during an extended power outage. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended to require a provider of raw or potable water to more than one customer and located in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more (Harris) or in an adjacent county with a population of 400,000 or more (Fort Bend) to ensure the operation of its water system during an extended power outage. An emergency preparedness plan must be submitted to the TCEQ for approval. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 637
|
Hegar Zerwas |
Relating to the creation of the Wharton County Drainage District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Local bill. Track only. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 638
|
Nichols Flynn |
Relating to the collateralization of certain public funds. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 2257, Government Code, is amended to authorize the Comptroller to establish a program to ensure that financial institutions adequately collateralize deposits of public funds. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 663
|
Averitt Miller, Sid |
Relating to the dissolution of the Tablerock Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The Tablerock Groundwater Conservation District is dissoleved. |
| Last Action: | 5-30-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 715
|
Shapiro Laubenberg |
Relating to the North Texas Municipal Water District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Local bill. Track only. |
| Last Action: | 5-12-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 726
|
Eltife Hughes |
Relating to the creation of the Harrison County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: | The Harrison County Groundwater District is created subject to a confirmation election.. The bill also creates the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District composed of Ellis, Hill, Johnson and Somervell Counties. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 794
|
Fraser Hilderbran |
Relating to the composition of the board of directors of the Central Colorado River Authority. |
| General Remarks: | Local bill. track only. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 799
|
Williams Otto |
Relating to the powers and duties of the Plum Creek Fresh Water Supply District No. 1. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The district will operate as a fresh water supply district under Chapters 49 and 53, Water Code. |
| Last Action: | 5-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 803
|
Lucio Rios Ybarra |
Relating to meetings of the Coastal Coordination Council. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 33, Natural Resources Code, is amended to require the Coastal Coordination Council to meet twice a year rather than quarterly. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 848
|
Nichols Cook |
Relating to the election, and validation of acts, of members of the board of directors of Anderson County Underground Water Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The election of directors is changed to a uniform election date. Certain acts are validated. |
| Last Action: | 5-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 914
|
Williams Otto |
Relating to the powers and duties of the Liberty Lakes Fresh Water Supply District No.1. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Local bill. Track only. |
| Last Action: | 5-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 940
|
Wentworth Chisum |
Relating to the regulation of the public practice of geoscience. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 1002, Occupations Code, relating to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists, is amended to define "geoscience firm" and "geoscientist in training", to establish a process for prioritizing and addressing complaints, to establish criteria for registration as a geoscientist in training, and to prescribe how the board issues advisory opinions. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1003
|
Deuell Flynn |
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Office of State-Federal Relations and the administrative attachment of that agency to the office of the governor. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 751, Government Code, is amended to require an agency of the State or any political subdivision, including a river authority, to report to the Office of State-Federal Relations any contract with a federal level government relations consultant. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1040
|
Duncan Smithee |
Relating to the board of directors of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Local bill. track only. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1204
|
Hegar Kleinschmidt |
Relating to the powers and duties of the Bastrop Water Control and Improvement District No. 2. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Local bill. Track only. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1209
|
Fraser Miller, Sid |
Relating to the Middle Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The enabling legislation of the district is amended primarily related to the composition of the board and the election of directors after annexation of territory. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1223
|
Eltife Frost |
Relating to the creation, administration, powers, duties, and operation of the Riverbend Water Resources District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The Riverbend Water Resources District is created. The district is composed of the cities of Annona, Avery, Dekalb, Hooks, Maud, New Boston, Texarkana, and Wake Village, and the Red River Redevelopment Authority. The district will operate generally under Chapter 49, Water Code. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1253
|
Seliger Smithee |
Relating to the repeal of the power of certain districts and water supply corporations to allow the use of right-of-way easements for certain energy-related purposes. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Section 49.2205, Water Code, is repealed. This section permits a district or wsc to allow others to use a right-of-way or easement for the transmission of energy generated by a clean coal project. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1260
|
Duncan Darby |
Relating to the abolishment of the Lower Concho River Water and Soil Conservation Authority. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The Authority is abolished. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1271
|
Uresti Hopson |
Relating to the requirement that an orthodontist or a prosthetist be licensed as a device manufacturer if fabricating or assembling without an order from certain health care professionals. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | See HB3366. |
| Last Action: | 5-27-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1299
|
Watson Rodriguez |
Relating to the regulation of stormwater management by certain counties. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 573, Local Government Code, is amended to further extend the applicability of the chapter to a county with a population of 800,000 or more that contains a portion of the Edwards Aquifer. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1360
|
Nichols Hopson |
Relating to the deadlines for commencement and completion of the Lake Columbia reservoir project. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: |
Deadlines for the commencment and completion of the completion of the Lake Columbia Reservoir project are stricken from Permit No. 4228. |
| Last Action: | 5-23-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1629
|
Wentworth Rose |
Relating to the persons exempted from the required prepayment of the personnel costs incurred by a governmental body in responding to requests from a requestor under the public information law that require large amounts of time. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The Government Code is amended to further exempt the news media from requirements to prepay a governmental body for personnel costs incurred in responding to an open records request. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1693
|
Ogden Cook |
Relating to the regulation of poultry facilities and poultry litter by the State Soil and Water Conservation Board and to the enforcement authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. |
| General Remarks: | Chapters 5, 7, and 26, Water Code, are amended to authorize the payment of penalties to the TCEQ by installment, to authorize the delegation of certain enforcement authority to the Executive Director, and to remove restrictions on the collection and use of fees for water quality management. Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code, and Chapter 26, Water Code, are amended to address siting, recordkeeping, and enforcement for a poultry facility. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1711
|
Hegar Frost |
Relating to the use of reservoirs for sediment control or to satisfy environmental and safety requirements at surface mining operations. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended to authorize a person, without obtaining a permit, to construct a reservoir as part of a surface coal mining operation under Chapter 134, Natural Resources Code, for sediment control or regulations relating to fire or dust suppression. Under prior law only sediment control was authorized. |
| Last Action: | 5-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1732
|
West Harless |
Relating to safety requirements for public swimming pools and other artificial bodies of water. |
| General Remarks: | Pool safety standards are required for an "artificial body of water" |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 1755
|
Fraser Sheffield |
Relating to the election of directors of the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The election date for directors is changed. |
| Last Action: | 5-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2126
|
Estes Miller, Doug |
Relating to the authority of owners and managers of apartment houses to assess a service charge for the submetering of water and wastewater services. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: |
Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended to extend the authorization to impose a service charge for submetering to the owner of an apartment house. A service charge for submetering may not be assessed against a resident that receives certain low income housing assistance. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2306
|
Williams Miller, Doug |
Relating to rates and methods of depreciation applied to a retired class of property for regulated water utilities. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended to prescribe certain accounting methods for depreciation for an investor-owned utility. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2312
|
Averitt Miller, Doug |
Relating to eligibility for funds from the water infrastructure fund from the Texas Water Development Board. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 15, Water Code, is amended to expand the definition of "eligible political subdivision". |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2314
|
Averitt Callegari |
Relating to the adoption of rules by the Texas Water Development Board regarding supplemental funding resulting from federal economic recovery legislation. |
| General Remarks: | Chapter 15, Water Code, is amended to ensure the TWDB may expeditiously provide financial assistance utilizing funds made available through federal programs. Certain procedural requirements for rule-making are waived if the Board determines the procedures do not allow for the the adoption of rules in a sufficiently prompt manner. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2445
|
Uresti King, Tracy |
Relating to the disposal of sewage by boats. |
| General Remarks: | Provisions in Chapter 26, Water Code, related to disposal of boat sewage are amended to add certain definitions, including "surface water in the state". Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to auhorize certain game wardens or peace officers to enforce TCEQ rules concerning disposal of sewage from boats. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2456
|
Hinojosa Rios Ybarra |
Relating to the creation of the Brush County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: | A groundwater district is created, subject to a confirmation election, in all or parts of Jim Hogg, Brooks, Jim Wells, and Hidalgo Counties. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2495
|
Zaffirini Gonzalez Toureilles |
Relating to eligibility requirements to serve as a member of the board of directors of the Bee Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Provisions related to the election of directors are clarified. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2497
|
Estes Hardcastle |
Relating to the creation of the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | A groundwater district is created in Collin, Cooke, and Denton Counties. The district is confirmed only if two or more of the counties submit a resolution confirming the county's inclusion. |
| Last Action: | 5-27-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2513
|
Averitt Dunnam |
Relating to the name and confirmation of, and to certain fees imposed by, the McLennan County Groundwater Conservation District and to the authority to create certain adjacent groundwater conservation districts. |
| General Remarks: | The name of the district is changed to the Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Production fees are specified. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2520
|
Duncan Heflin |
Relating to election and qualifications of members of the board of directors of the Santa Rita Underground Water Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | Qualifications of board members and election dates are changed. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2529
|
Estes Phillips |
Relating to the creation of the Red River Groundwater Conservation District. |
| General Remarks: | The Red River Groundwater Conservation District is created coextensive with the boundaries of Grayson and Fannin Counties. |
| Last Action: | 9-
1-09 G Earliest effective date |
SB 2570
|
Lucio Rios Ybarra |
Relating to the board of directors of the Kenedy County Groundwater Conservation District. |
| Companions: |
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| General Remarks: | The election of directors is changed from "at large" to five single-member districts. |
| Last Action: | 6-19-09 G Earliest effective date |
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