The Wise Report

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

May 28, 2007

The following is an update of current Texas Legislation that may be of interest to Geologists.  The following bills have been signed by the Governor:  S.B. 404 and H.B. 2018.   S.B. 662 has been sent to the Governor.  The following bills have been signed by the House and Senate:  H.B. 3220, H.B. 3554, H.B. 3837.  It is anticipated that these bills will be signed by the Governor shortly.

Below is the most recent update of the legislation of interest:
H.B. No 1376:  Authored by Chisum, Relating to the name, administration, powers, and duties of the Collingsworth County Underground Water Conservation District.  Recommend adding Professional Geologists to the list of approved persons.  Last action taken:  Recommendations filed with the Speaker 3/27/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1376
H.B. No. 3:  Authored by Puente, Relating to the management of the water resources of the state, including the protection of instream flows and freshwater inflows. Last action taken:  House Committee Report Printed & Distributed 5/26/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB3
S.B. No. 662, companion bill - H.B. No. 1313:  Authored by Wentworth, Relating to transmittal to the Texas Water Development Board and a local groundwater conservation district of certain information by a person applying to subdivide a tract of land.  Last action taken:  Sent to the Governor 5/27/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=SB662
S.B. No. 659, companion bill - H.B. No. 1292:  Authored by Wentworth, Relating to the maximum permitted withdrawals and critical period management of groundwater in the area regulated by the Edwards Aquifer Authority and to the operations and oversight of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.  Last action taken:  Left pending in committee 4/10/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=SB659
H.B. No. 4:  Puente, Relating to water conservation.  Last action taken:  Senate House Adopts Conference Committee Report 5/27/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB4
H.B. No. 1313, companion bill - S.B. No. 662:  Authored by Hilderbran, Relating to transmittal to the Texas Water Development Board and a local groundwater conservation district of certain information by a person applying to subdivide a tract of land.  Last action taken:  Placed on General State Calendar 5/9/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1313
H.B. No. 1292, companion bill - S.B. No. 659:  Authored by Puente, Relating to the maximum permitted withdrawals and critical period management of groundwater in the area regulated by the Edwards Aquifer Authority and to the operations and oversight of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.  Last action taken:   Postponed 5/10/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1292
S.B. No. 359:  Authored by Williams, Relating to the application of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality''s water quality protection area pilot program to portions of the San Jacinto River.  Last action taken:  House Committee Sent to Calendars 5/20/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=SB359
H.B. 475, companion bill - S B. 1498, Authored by Hopson, Relating to the creation of the Panola County Groundwater Conservation District; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds.  Last action taken:  Recommendations filed with the Speaker 3/2/07.  For more information go to:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB475
S.B. 404, companion bill - H.B. 1020, Authored by Zaffirin, Relating to the Bee Groundwater Conservation District.  Last action taken:  Signed by the Governor, effective immediately