Harston Reports on Legislation
Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District Manager Rick Harston reported June 17 to his board of directors on the 79th Legislative Session. He said it was one of the worst sessions he has witnessed. He said there is tremendous animosity between the House and Senate members, and the good part was that few junk bills were passed.
Among the bills passed which affect groundwater districts was HB 1763, a “Christmas tree” bill that ultimately had various legislation attached. It requires all districts within a Groundwater Management Area to meet annually to determine the managed available water and the future conditions of the aquifers. The bill changes procedures water districts use for notice and hearings on rule making and water well permitting. It also makes some changes in appeals processes for both water districts and landowners.
HB 380 makes it easier for oil and gas companies to get insurance rather than bonds for future plugging of wells. Harston says the insurance is supposed to stay with the well even if the owner changes. HB 578 was passed to facilitate location of potential pipelines for use in an emergency water delivery situation. SB 18 will affect the way water districts calculate tax rates and the notice and hearings process.
SB 286 requires members of all publicly elected boards to take two hours of open records and open meetings law training.
Ten new groundwater districts were authorized, but voters may not approve them all, due to resistance to what some view as the state usurping local control with recent legislation (HB 1763).