Bill

HB 180

85(R) - 2017
House Natural Resources
House Natural Resources
Groundwater Conservation Districts  
Transparency
Water

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Eddie Lucio III

Bill Caption

Relating to the review of groundwater conservation districts by the state auditor.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, the state auditor may conduct a review to determine whether or not groundwater conservation districts are operational and "make a determination of whether a district is actively engaged in achieving the objectives of the district's management plan based on an analysis of the district's activities".

HB 180 would eliminate the ability of the state auditor to review groundwater district practices and activities. Should this bill pass the state auditor would only be able to conduct a financial audit of a groundwater conservation district. 


Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill violates the principle of limited government because it decreases transparency and accountability for groundwater conservation districts. We are not persuaded that because these districts are under the regulation of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the state auditor's review authority is redundant. There may be some overlap but the review authority is permissive which means there is no urgent reason to repeal it. We prefer that review authority be left in place for accountability purposes. For these reasons we oppose HB 180.

Organizations Supporting

Canadian River Municipal Water Authority
Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
Texas Desalination Association
Texas Water Conservation Association
The Nature Conservancy