23
Feature
HB 3405 (Rep. Isaac/Sen. Campbell)
Relating to the territory and authority
of the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer
Conservation District to regulate
certain wells for the production of
groundwater.
Defines the territory of the
Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation
District as any territory that is inside the
boundaries of the Edwards Aquifer Authority
and in Hays County; and not within the
boundaries of the Plum Creek Conservation
District as those boundaries existed on
February 1, 2015. The Barton Springs-
Edwards Aquifer Conservation District has
jurisdiction over groundwater and any well
that is drilled to produce water from any
aquifer other than the Edwards Aquifer in the
shared territory described by Subsection (a).
Effective Immediately.
SB 1356 (Sen. Hinojosa/Rep. Darby)
Relating to exemption from the sales tax
for certain water-efficient products for a
limited period.
Adds WaterSense products
to the list of energy-efficient products that
are exempt from sales tax during the state’s
Memorial Day sales tax holiday. "WaterSense
product means a product that has been
designated as a WaterSense certified product
under the WaterSense program operated by
the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, or a similar successor program."
Effective Oct. 1, 2015.
OTHER
HB 763 (Rep. S. King/Sen. Perry)
Relating
to a petition to a state agency for
adoption of rules.
Would: (1) require at least
51 percent of the total number of signatures
on a petition for a state agency to adopt rules
to be of residents of the state of Texas; and
(2) clarify the definition of interested person
as a resident, business entity, governmental
subdivision, or public or private organization
located in the state of Texas.
Effective Immediately.
*HB 2187 (Rep. Smith/Sen. L. Taylor)
Relating to the regulation of metal
recycling entities.
Adds additional regulations
on certain metals bought by metal recyclers,
including a prohibition on payment in cash
or by direct deposit in certain circumstances.
Authorizes the Department of Public Safety to
assess administrative penalties against persons or
entities who violate the regulations.
Effective Sept. 1, 2015.
SB 735 (Sen. Fraser/Rep. K. King)
Relating to the availability and use of
certain evidence in connection with an
award of exemplary damages.
Provides
that the financial condition or net worth of
a party is not relevant for the purposes of
supporting a claim for, or the amount of,
exemplary damages and, therefore, is not
discoverable or admissible as evidence.
Effective Sept. 1, 2015.
or any other source of water considered
appropriate by the commission.”
Effective Immediately.
HB 2031 (Rep. Lucio/Sen. Hinojosa)
Relating to the development and
production of marine seawater
desalination, integrated marine seawater
desalination, and facilities for the
storage, conveyance, and delivery of
desalinated marine seawater.
Instructs
TCEQ to issue permits to use the bed and
banks of any flowing natural stream to
convey marine seawater, without a hearing.
Allows a water supply entity (retail public
utility, wholesale water supplier or irrigation
district) to use state marine seawater for a
beneficial purpose without a permit. Marine
seawater must be treated to meet the level
of the receiving stream before an entity
may put the water into a stream. Requires
regional water plans to consider large-scale
desalination facilities for marine seawater
that serve local or regional entities. Repeals
16.060 of the Water Code regarding TWDB
studies on desalination. Gives TCEQ power
over state financial assistance and permitting
of marine seawater desalination projects.
Gives political subdivisions along the Gulf
the power to divert water from the Gulf of
Mexico as long as they get approval of intakes
and return facilities from the General Land
Office and School Land Board (this approval
is not subject to contested case hearing
process). Gives all governmental authorities
with jurisdiction over this process the power
to expedite and streamline the process on
applications and requests (this is also not
subject to contested case hearing process).
Directs TCEQ to adopt rules related to treating
marine seawater for drinking water purposes
and require TCEQ approval of all desalination
facilities for drinking water. Requires a report,
pilot study, data, and verification protocol for
such approval.
Effective Immediately.
CONCLUSION
During the interim, TAB and
HOMEPAC will be actively involved
in political campaign fundraising and
races, updating the TAB Contracts
Package to reflect applicable legislative
and case law changes, researching
legislative issues to address during
the 85th Legislative Session and
building upon our grassroots network
throughout Texas. If you are interested
in becoming involved on a TAB Task
Force, serving as a grassroots leader for
your area or have an issue that may be
resolved at the state level, please contact
the TAB Government Relations and
HOMEPAC staff.
Thank you again to our 2015 Rally
Day Sponsors. Presenting Sponsors:
Builder Agent Network, Morrison
Supply Company, Natural Gas
Utilities of Texas, StrucSure Home
Warranty. Rally Day Patron Sponsor:
Environments for Living.
*
Denotes a TAB Priority Bill
