TEXAS INTERIM CHARGES. 14 Water Charges. 5 Committees.

House Committee on Environmental Regulation 

#1. Harvey, TCEQ Rules & The Public.  Examine the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) response and clean-up efforts related to Hurricane Harvey. Study whether current air, water, waste, and wastewater rules and regulations adequately protect the public, natural resources, environment, infrastructure, residential areas, and industrial facilities from damage caused by natural disasters. Evaluate the debris cleanup and removal process and whether current rules and regulations are effective in expediting cleanup efforts. Make recommendations on how natural disaster responses can be improved. 

House Committee on Natural Resources 

#1 Harvey & Flood Control. Examine the following issues within the Committee’s jurisdiction regarding Hurricane Harvey and flooding in general: the role of regional entities in developing projects to control flooding, both through new infrastructure and enhancing existing infrastructure; mitigation efforts that would reduce the impact of future flood events, and strategies to fund those efforts; and the response of public entities that own or operate dams to large-scale rain events, including how such entities make decisions regarding dam and reservoir operations during such events, coordinate with state and local emergency management officials, and communicate with the public. (Issued September 14, 2017) 

#2. More Harvey. Funding. Data. TWDB. In conjunction with Charge 1, study the following additional issues related to Hurricane Harvey and flooding in general:

    1. The development of the initial State Flood Plan by the Texas Water Development Board, and how the plan might be enhanced or focused in light of Harvey;

    2. Science and data availability and needs related to flood risk and to responding to flood events;

    3. The best methods of providing state financial assistance for flood infrastructure needs;

    4. Opportunities for improved collection and storage of flood flows for future supply

      needs; and

    5. The role of voluntary land conservation efforts, including conservation easements, in

      preventing and mitigating flooding. 

#3 Groundwater Deep Dive. Evaluate the status of groundwater policy in Texas, including the following issues:

    1. Progress and challenges in encouraging coordination and consistency in aquifer-wide

      management and permitting practices;

    2. Developments in case law regarding groundwater ownership and regulation;

    3. Potential improvements to the existing groundwater permitting process, including those

      contemplated in H.B. 31 (85R);

    4. The appropriate consideration of the service area of a water supplier when groundwater

      resources are allocated based on surface ownership;

    5. The designation of brackish groundwater production zones and related research;

    6. Groundwater data and science needs; and

    7. Emerging issues in groundwater and surface water interaction, in particular in areas of

      increasing competition for scarce resources. 

#4 Water Markets.  Examine the status of water markets in Texas and the potential benefits of and challenges to expanded markets for water. 

#5 Water Issue Outreach.  Examine the potential value, the necessary elements, and the implications of a broad-based information and awareness campaign regarding water issues in Texas. Consider input from water stakeholders, educators, and communications experts. 

#6 Utility Decretification. Evaluate the results of the expedited decertification process created under S.B. 573 (82R). Include an evaluation of the process for resolving disputes around this process and assessing compensation for utilities whose service areas are decertified. 

#7 Water Availability Models. Analyze the need to update Water Availability Models for the river basins in this state. 

#8 Abandonded Groundwater Wells. Study the hazards presented by abandoned and deteriorated groundwater wells, and make recommendations to address the contamination and other concerns these wells may represent. 

#9 Water from our Neighbors. Examine opportunities to enhance water development opportunities involving neighboring states and Mexico. Evaluate lessons from previous attempts to import new water supplies, as well as the impacts of noncompliance with the 1944 treaty with Mexico on the Rio Grande Valley region. 

House Committee on Special Purpose Districts 

#2 Water District Bonds. Review the statutes and procedures related to state approval and oversight of water district bonds that finance utility, infrastructure, and other projects. Identify opportunities for improving the state’s oversight of bond issuance and make recommendations for statutory changes. 

 

Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs Committee 

Streamlining Water Permitting: Study and recommend changes that promote streamlining of water right permit issuance and the amendment process by the TCEQ for surface water, and that promote uniform and streamline permitting by groundwater conservation districts for groundwater. Evaluate more transparent process needs and proper valuation of water. 

 

Regulatory Framework of Groundwater Conservation Districts and River Authorities: Study and make recommendations on the regulatory framework for managing groundwater in Texas to ensure that private property rights are being sufficiently protected. Study the role of river authorities and groundwater conservation districts including the state’s oversight role of their operations and fees imposed. 

Intergovernmental Relations Committee 

Special Purpose Districts Bond Reform: Study the state agency review of tax exempt bonds issued by special purpose districts and public improvement districts used to finance water and sewer infrastructure in new residential and commercial developments. Examine the disparities that exist between the feasibility review of water and sewer bonds backed by property- based assessments and those backed by ad valorem taxes, and make recommendations that ensure the continued stability of the Texas tax- exempt bond market by requiring all districts to undergo appropriate reviews prior to issuance. 

85th Texas Legislature Interim Studies | Texas House | Texas Senate

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