Bill Caption

Relating to the use of water withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer by certain entities.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 1806 would allow for a retail public utility that holds a permit to purchase water from the City of San Antonio. The bill specifically relates to water that is drawn from Edwards Aquifer and would require the purchase to be made in whole sale price from the city for the use in an adjacent county.

Also, this bill would prohibit a municipally owned utility owned by the City of San Antonio from selling more than 6,000 acre feet of water withdrawn from the aquifer per year at wholesale to a retail public utility or river authority for use in any county adjacent to Bexar County. The municipally owned utility owned by the City of San Antonio would be required to obtain the consent of the Kendall County Commissioners Court for a sale of water under this subsection if: (1) the water is sold for use in Kendall County; and (2) the sale would cause the total sales of water under this subsection for use in Kendall County to exceed 1,500 acre feet of water per year.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral as HB 1806 does not appear to affect our liberty principles, however this appears to be sound public policy.