Requires groundwater conservation districts to address management standards and annual withdrawal rates in their management plans. Allows GCDs to assess a fee or surcharge on groundwater transported outside the district's boundaries. Mandates that fifty-percent of the fee must be sent to the state. The bill does not allow a district to restrict the permit of a transporter unless the in-district users comply with the same restrictions. Requires political subdivisions that own land suitable for groundwater development to pay a fee to the district equal to the amount of property taxes they would have paid.
Political subdivisions are exempt from paying property taxes under Texas law.
This article will create and ratify several districts. Additional districts will be added to those currently in the bill. Creates the Water Infrastructure Fund to provide low interest loans and grants for water projects recommended in the state and regional water plans. Existing loan programs are not structured where they can provide rural areas with affordable funding for these projects. The bill adds funding for non-point source pollution prevention projects, and it makes individuals eligible for the funding.