Source: https://lrl.texas.gov/legis/waterTimeLine.cfm
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 02:45:51+00:00

Document:
The history of funding water-related needs in Texas is basically a history of the Texas Water Development Board -- the agency charged with the financial end of this complex issue. The main vehicle, to date, has been loans, and distribution of federal grant monies to political subdivisions to augment the local authority's budgets.
The first concerted effort on the part of the Legislature to fund water supply and conservation needs was in 1957 when they created the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), and the Texas Water Development Fund. The charge for the agency was to forecast water-supply needs and provide funding for projects. A constitutional amendment was passed (HJR 3) authorizing the issuance of $200 million in general revenue bonds and gave TWDB the authority to use the funds (in the form of loans) for approved political subdivisions to use in the conservation and development of water resources.
Water agencies in Texas were combined and reorganized during the 1960's and 70's, thereby making the Texas Water Development Board part of the Texas Water Commission.
In 1985, sunset legislation reorganized the agencies again, and re- created the Texas Water Development Board, again with responsibility for funding. That same year, the Legislature passed HJR 6, a constitutional amendment to allow the state to sell 980 million dollars in bonds for water projects. Debt service for the bonds had to come out of appropriated funds. The scope of projects that could be funded by the bonds increased.
In 1997, SB 1 launched extensive regional water planning districts, and required that TWDB publish a comprehensive state water plan every five years. This bill also consolidated all the different specialized funds operated by TWDB into a single financial assistance fund, the Texas Water Development Fund II.
1997 was also the year that the most comprehensive water funding bill thus far, HB 1802 was introduced, but never made it out of committee. Rep. Ron Lewis authored the bill with Robert Puente as the co-author. Its caption was "relating to the development and management of the water resources of the state, assessing fees, and making appropriations." Looking to start a dedicated fund, it authorized the State to assess a fee from each public water supply system in the state, with rates varying depending on the class of users. It also tried to establish an annual water rights fee for other than municipal uses.
2001 saw the creation of the Water Infrastructure Fund with SB 2, that, to date, has not been funded. Considered the "son of SB 1 (1997)", SB 2 as introduced, included a variety of fees and sales taxes on water use. Strong opposition to these fees forced Brown to strip them all from the final bill. This included a 5 cent fee per bottle on bottled-water. The intent of SB 2 was to streamline the authorities created in SB 1 (1997) and to fund the various projects these authorities said were necessary to provide water to all Texans through 2050 -- estimated at $17 billion.
In 2003, Senator Armbrister introduced SB 3 which, among other things included a "Water Conservation and Development Fee" that would be 13 cents for each 1000 gallons of water sold to the ultimate consumer for consumption. This bill never made it out of committee.
Two more state water plans have been released since 1997 -- in 2002 and 2007. The amount of money needed for ensuring that Texans have access to water in 2050, keeps rising. The 2007 plan outlined $ 1.7 billion that would have to be appropriated between now and 2020 -- mainly needed to augment debt service payments on state bonds. To date, the Legislators and voters have approved $ 2.68 billion in bonds for use mainly as loans. So far, the TWDB has sold nearly $ 1.55 billion of these funds to finance construction of water and wastewater projects.
In December 2006, in an interim report from the Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Water Issues, seven potential dedicated revenue sources were identified with estimates of the possible money these funds would generate. These include an authorized water rights fee, a reported use fee, a public water supply connection fee, a county assessed water fee, sales tax on water and wastewater, bottled water fee, and a tiered residential use fee.
See the Water Resources Research Guide for lists of water-related agencies, organizations, databases, and research aids as well as citations to articles and reports published between 2008 and 2014. The Guide focuses on water resources development, management, and use; water rights and allocation; and water planning and research.
Act approved Dec. 14, 1837 - An act to reduce into one act, and to amend the several acts relating to the establishment of a General Land Office.
Highlights: Sec. 42 set the measurement criterion "that all streams of the average width of thirty feet shall be considered navigable streams".
Highlights: Gave County Courts authority over water rights, continuing the Spanish-Mexican system of water rights.
The Texas Supreme Court first recognizes riparian water rights. Haas v. Choussard, , 17 Tex. 588 (Tex. 1856).
Of Note: This holding set the stage for creating a dual system of water rights which prevailed in Texas until the adoption of the Water Rights Adjudication Act of 1967.
Highlights: First Irrigation Act; Established doctrine of prior appropriation; Section 2 of the Act declared all the unappropriated waters of every river or natural stream within the arid portion of the state to be the property of the public and may be acquired by appropriation through a "certified filing" with the County Clerk.
Of Note: SB 262 amended SHB 120.
The Texas Supreme Court adopted the Rule of Capture. Houston & Texas Central Railroad Co. v. East, (81 S.W. 279).
City of Corpus Christi v. City of Pleasanton, 276 S.W.2d 798 (Tex. 1955).
Friendswood Development Co. v. Smith-Southwest Industries 576 S.W. 2d 21 (1978).
City of Sherman v. Public Utils. Commission of Texas, 643 S.W. 2d 681 (Tex. 1983).
Sipriano v. Great Spring Waters of America, Inc., 1 S.W.3d 75, 76 (1999).
November 8, 1904 — HJR 11, 28th Leg., R.S.
Highlights:According to Texas Water Development Board self-evaluation report : water for Texas : a report for the Sunset Advisory Commission , this amendment authorized the first public development of water resources in Texas.
June 14, 1905 — SB 67, 29th Leg. R.S.
SB 67, 29th Regular Session, authorizing the creation and maintenance of drainage districts. (effective 90 days after adjournment).
Highlights:This bill authorized the creation of the first drainage districts and marked the beginning of water development efforts.
May 31, 1913 — HB 37, 33rd Leg. R.S.
HB 37, 33rd Regular Session, An act to provide an adequate system of laws relating to irrigation….;creating a Board of Water Engineers [to regulate appropriations of water]. (approved 04/09/1913; effective 90 days after adjournment).
Highlights: Sometimes called Burges-Glasscock Act, this bill set up the "certified filings" procedure for water-rights claims.
August 21, 1917 — SJR 12, 35th Leg. R.S.
SJR 12, 35th Legislature, Regular Session, Declaring the conservation and preservation of all the natural resources of the State of Texas are public rights and duties; providing for the creation of conservation districts, declaring such districts bodies politic and corporate, defining the authority of such districts, and conferring upon the Legislature authority to pass laws with reference thereto; declaring that the Legislature shall have the authority generally to legislate for the purpose of conserving the natural resourcesof the State; fixing the time for the election for the adoption or rejection fo said proposed constitutional amendment... (Adopted 08/21/1917).
March 19, 1917 — HB 238, 35th Leg. R.S.
April 2, 1918 — SB 10, 35th Leg. 4th C.S.
July 25, 1919 — SB 18, 36th Leg. 2nd C.S.
July 28, 1919 — SB 19, 36th Leg. 2nd C.S.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled BWE's adjudicative powers were unconstitutional. State Board of Water Engineers v. McKnight, 111 Tex. 82, 229 S.W. 301 (Tex. 1921).
Of Note: Ruled BWE's adjudicative powers unconstitutional due to separation of powers doctrine; as a result of the court's decision, Texas would not see another water rights adjudication act for over 45 years.
July 29, 1923 — SB 219, 38th Leg. R.S.
July 29, 1923 — SB 267, 38th Leg. R.S.
March 28, 1925 — SB 136, 39th Leg. R.S.
June 23, 1925 — SB 169, 39th Leg. R.S.
The Texas Supreme Court upheld a dual system -- allowing riparian water rights to coincide with State appropriation rights. Motl v. Boyd, 116 Tex. 82, 286 S.W. 458 (Tex. 1926).
Of Note: Held that "riparian waters are the waters of the ordinary flow and underflow of the stream, and that the waters of the stream, when they rise above the line of highest ordinary flow, are to be regarded as flood waters or waters to which riparian rights do not attach."
September 5, 1927 — HB 70, 40th Leg. 1st C.S.
HB 70, 40th Legislature, First Called Session, providing for and regulating Water Control and Improvement Districts. (effective 90 days after adjournment).
September 1, 1929 — HB 197, 41st Leg. 2nd C.S.
HB 197, 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, creating the Brazos River Conservation and Reclamation District. (Effective 90 days after adjournment).
Authors: Leonard E. Tillotson, William Harman, Bailey W. Hardy and James Finlay, Sr.
Highlights: With this bill, the Legislature created the first river authority; the first "state agency" in the U.S. created specifically for the purpose of developing and managing water resources of an entire river basin.
May 14, 1931 — SB 586, 42nd Leg. R.S.
SB 586, 42nd Legislature, Regular Session, water Control and Improvement Districts -- Right of eminent domain and assessment of taxes. (approved June 14, 1931, effective May 14, 1931).
In 1931, the 42nd Legislature passed SB 93, commonly known as the Wagstaff Act. The Wagstaff Act grew out of a disputed permit application for the Brownwood Reservoir on Pecan Bayou, a major tributary of of the Colorado River. It ranks water uses in the following order: domestic and municipal, industrial, irrigation, mining, hydroelectric, navigation, recreation and leisure, and other beneficial uses.
May 28, 1931 — SB 608, 42nd Leg. R.S.
SB 608, 42nd Legislature, Regular Session, preservation of underground water supply. (approved May 28, 1931, effective May 28, 1931).
Highlights: Declared it the policy and duty of the Texas State Board of Water Engineers to make and enforce rules and regulations for the conservation, protection, preservation and distribution of all underground, subterranean and percolating waters of every kind and nature.
October 13, 1933 — SB 51, 43rd Leg. 1st C.S.
SB 51, 43rd Legislature, 1st Called Session, government and control of Water Power Control Districts and Water Improvement Districts. (approved October 13, 1933, effective October 13, 1933).
March 1, 1939 — HB 152, 46th Leg. R.S.
April 20, 1939 — HB 20, 46th Leg. R.S.
Authors: Bailey Ragsdale, Arthur Tarwater, Robert Fuchs, and others.
Highlights: Local districts were established to implement soil and water conservation program. This was the state counterpart to the national Soil Conservation Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Texas Court of Civil Appeals recognized BWE had authority to amend water rights permits, Clark v. Briscoe 200 S.W.2d 674 (Tex.Civ.App.--Austin, 1947; no writ).
Of Note: Recognized and accorded to the Board of Water Engineers significant powers over water rights.
October 13, 1949 — SB 169, 51st Leg. R.S.
June 29, 1949 – June 30, 1949 — SCR 36, 51st Leg. R.S.
June 2, 1949 — HB 162, 51st Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Sometimes referred to as the Texas Groundwater Act; this was legislature's first exercise of constitutional authority to provide for the management of groundwater.
June 13, 1949 — HB 716, 51st Leg. R.S.
The first Groundwater Conservation District (GCD), the High Plains Underground Conservation District No. 1, was created in 1951.
May 10, 1951 — HB 63, 52nd Leg. R.S.
April 21, 1953 — SB 131, 53rd Leg. R.S.
June 8, 1953 — HB 448, 53rd Leg. R.S.
August 25, 1953 — HB 454, 53rd Leg. R.S.
August 21, 1957 — HB 161, 55th Leg. R.S.
November 5, 1957 — HJR 3, 55th Leg. R.S.
December 2, 1957 — SB 1, 55th Leg. 1st C.S.
Highlights: Mandated a formal process for developing a plan to meet the state's future water needs. (Water plans have been adopted in 1961, 1968, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007).
The Texas Supreme Court stripped Spanish land grant holders of their riparian water rights, holding that the Spanish system was one whereby the Crown or its official made specific grants of water rights; this led to a change from a dual system to one of State Licensing only, Valmont Plantations v.State of Texas, 355 S.W.2d 502 (Tex.1962).
November 8, 1961 — HB 24, 57th Leg. 1st C.S.
First state water plan adopted.
Highlights: Emerged during an era of dam and reservoir construction in the United States; recommended 45 new reservoirs.
November 11, 1962 — HJR 46, 57th Leg. R.S.
January 30, 1962 — HB 12, 57th Leg. 3rd C.S.
Highlights: Additional authority to measure, eliminate and prevent water pollution.
September 1, 1965 — SB 145, 59th Leg. R.S.
August 28, 1968 — SB 92, 60th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Sometimes referred to as the Water Rights Adjudication Act; the Act consolidated all surface water rights into a unified system by transforming previously held Spanish and Mexican grants, riparian water rights, and claims into "certificates of adjudication."
September 1, 1967 — SB 204, 60th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: TWQB assumed functions, powers, duties and responsibilities of Water Pollution Control Board.
Second state water plan adopted.
Highlights: Recommended 62 new reservoirs and addressed issues surrounding drainage, water quality, recreation, and fish and wildlife.
State of Texas, et. al. v. Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District No. 18, et. al., 443 S.W.2d 728 (Texas Civ. App. - Corpus Christi, March 27, 1969, writ ref'd n.r.e., December 9, 1970).
Sometimes referred to as the "Valley Water case"; this case initially arose in the 1950s drought and took over 30 years to decide. It involved approximately 3,000 parties seeking a right to a limited supply of water; as a consequence of the lawsuit, a court-ordered water management plan was developed for the border region in 1970.
August 30, 1971 — HB 343, 62nd Leg. R.S.
June 19, 1975 — SB 137, 64th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1977 — SB 1139, 62nd Leg. R.S.
SB 1139, 65th Legislature, Regular Session. Relating to the creation, administration, powers, duties, and operations of the Texas Department of Water Resources; providing penalties.
Highlights: Informally known as the 1977 Water Reorganization Act; created new agency responsible for developing Texas' water resources, maintaining the quality of water, and ensuring equitable distribution of water rights. Section 11.122 of the act gave the agency clear authority to amend all water rights.
May 24, 1979 — SB 581, 66th Leg. R.S.
Authors: Ed Howard, Albert Price, Tom Creighton, Ray Farabee, Roy Blake, Sr.
June 19, 1983 — HB 2276, 68th Leg. R.S.
Third state water plan adopted.
Highlights: One of first examples of water conservation recommended as way to meet future needs.
September 1, 1985 — SB 249, 69th Leg. R.S.
November 5, 1985 — HB 2, 69th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1985 — HB 536, 69th Leg. R.S.
November 11, 1985 — HJR 6, 69th Leg. R.S.
March 24, 1987 — SB 259, 70th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1987 — SB 324, 70th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1987 — SB 585, 70th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1987 — SB 683, 70th Leg. R.S.
November 3, 1987 — SJR 54, 70th Leg. R.S.
Of Note: Enabling legislation passed as HB 72 in 70th Legislature, 2d Called Session.
June 20, 1987 — HB 734, 70th Leg. R.S.
August 31, 1987 — HB 1509, 70th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1987 — HB 1783, 70th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1987 — HB 1787, 70th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1987 — HB 1788, 70th Leg. R.S.
November 3, 1987 — HB 72, 70th Leg. 2nd C.S.
December 5, 1989 — SB 61, 71st Leg. R.S.
November 7, 1989 — SJR 5, 71st Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1989 — HB 1458, 71st Leg. R.S.
New state water plan adopted.
May 26, 1991 — HB 2329, 72nd Leg. R.S.
June 7, 1991 — SB 818, 72nd Leg. R.S.
Highlights: The Texas Clean Rivers Act establishes a state program to reduce nonpoint source water pollution.
August 12, 1991 — SB 2, 72nd Leg. 1st C.S.
April 29, 1993 — SB 503, 73rd Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Created a cost-share program to provide financial assistance for the installation of soil and water conservation improvement measures.
August 30, 1993 — SB 1030, 73rd Leg. R.S.
August 30, 1993 — SB 1334, 73rd Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1993 — SB 1477, 73rd Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Landmark legislation brought about by Federal lawsuit (see Sierra Club v. Lujan under listing for 1993); created authority as a Special Groundwater District; jurisdictional area across 8 counties in South Central Texas; created to manage and regulate San Antonio segment of Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer. [Note: other legal challenges pertaining to the Voting Rights Act prevented the Authority from operating until 1996].
August 30, 1993 — HB 1269, 73rd Leg. R.S.
June 5, 1995 — HB 1989, 74th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1995 — HB 2294, 74th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1997 — SB 1, 75th Leg. R.S.
March 20, 1997 — SJR 16, 75th Leg. R.S.
November 4, 1997 — SJR 17, 75th Leg. R.S.
April 22, 1997 — HB 1802, 75th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Would have authorized TNRCC to collect a fee from each public water supply system; would have provided for the establishment of an annual water rights fee, compensation to the basin of origin, and establishment of a water facilities fund.
June 18, 1999 — SB 272, 76th Leg. R.S.
SB 272, 76th Legislature, Regular Session. Relating to regional water planning groups. (06/18/1999 Effective immediately).
June 18, 1999 — SB 657, 76th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1999 — SB 1301, 76th Leg. R.S.
June 18, 1999 — SB 1310, 76th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1999 — SB 1323, 76th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1999 — SB 1911, 76th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 1999 — HB 846, 76th Leg. R.S.
June 18, 1999 — HB 2660, 76th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 2001 — SB 2, 77th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Follow-up to SB1 (75th Legislature); enacted significant amendments to regional water planning; established Rural Water Assistance Fund (RWAF) and the Water Infrastructure Fund. (WIF), both of which were intended to be supported by future appropriations; created Texas Water Advisory Council.
September 1, 2001 — SB 312, 77th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Sunset review of Texas Water Development Board; agency was preserved for 12 more years and program changes were mandated.
September 1, 2001 — HB 2912, 77th Leg. R.S.
November 6, 2001 — HJR 81, 77th Leg. R.S.
Of Note: No enabling legislation required.
New state water plan adopted -- first to be adopted since passage of SB 1 in 1997.
May 20, 2003 — SB 1094, 78th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Created the Water Conservation Implementation Task Force (WCIT) to review, evaluate, and recommend optimum levels of water use efficiency and conservation.
June 20, 2003 — SB 1639, 78th Leg. R.S.
June 20, 2003 — HB 1378, 78th Leg. R.S.
June 20, 2003 — HB 1534, 78th Leg. R.S.
June 20, 2003 — HB 1541, 78th Leg. R.S.
June 20, 2003 — HB 2663, 78th Leg. R.S.
December 13, 2004 — Water Policy Cmte.
December 1, 2006 — Environmental Flows Cmte.
Governor Perry created the Environmental Flows Advisory Committee; charge is to develop recommendations to establish a process that will achieve a consensus-based, regional approach to integrate environmental flow protection into the water allocation process while ensuring that human water needs are satisfied.
May 24, 2005 — SB 3, 79th Leg. R.S.
Highlights: Based on recommendations from 2004 Senate Select Committee on Water Policy; focused on further implementation of water planning system set in place by SB1 (75th) and SB2 (77th).
June 1, 2005 — HB 1763, 79th Leg. R.S.
Authors: Robby Cook, Ruben Hope, Jr.
Highlights: Established a process to enable consistent management of groundwater resources within 16 groundwater management areas; requires the GCDs in GMAs to meet at least once every year to conduct joint planning.
June 18, 2005 — HB 2201, 79th Leg. R.S.
Coauthors: Dan Branch, Dan Flynn, Linda Harper-Brown, Bill Keefer, Ken Paxton, Mark Strama, and Bill Zedler.
Highlights: § 6, (2) and (3) substituted "Commission on Environmental Quality" for "Natural Resource Conservation Commission."
July 6, 2005 — SB 15, 79th Leg. 1st C.S.
Interim charge to Senate Committee on Natural Resources to study and assess all issues related to ground and surface water law, policy and management.
Members: Gonzalo Barrientos, Robert Duncan, Troy Fraser, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Mike Jackson, Jon Lindsay, Kel Seliger, Todd Staples.
New State Water Plan (Water for Texas 2007) Adopted.
June 16, 2007 — SB 3, 80th Leg. R.S.
SB 3, 80th Legislature, Regular Session. Relating to the development, management, and preservation of the water resources of the state; providing penalties. (06/16/2007; This Act takes effect September 1, 2007, except Section 2.27 takes effect September 1, 2009, and Articles 4, 9, 10, and 12 take effect immediately).
Highlights: Established the Joint Committee on State Water Funding and repealed Texas Water Advisory Council.
November 6, 2007 — SJR 20, 80th Leg. R.S.
June 15, 2007 — HB 3, 80th Leg. R.S.
June 15, 2007 — HB 4, 80th Leg. R.S.
September 1, 2009 — SB 2312, 81st Leg. R.S.
June 19, 2009 — HB 3861, 81st Leg. R.S.
May 17, 2011 — SB 360, 82nd Leg. R.S.
September 1, 2011 — SB 332, 82nd Leg. R.S.
November 8, 2011 — SJR 4, 82nd Leg. R.S.
In Edwards Aquifer Authority v. Burrell Day and Joel McDaniel, the Supreme Court of Texas held that land ownership includes an interest in groundwater in place that cannot be taken for public use without adequate compensation guaranteed by Article I, Section 17(a) of the Texas Constitution.

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