Bill would add municipal representation and regulatory exemption to Presidio County groundwater district board

Summary

Senate Bill 3044 would increase the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District board from five to seven members to allow the cities of Marfa and Presidio to each appoint a director, and would exempt the district from Texas Water Code section 36.121 to permit permitting and improved groundwater management, supporters said.

Senator Blanco presented Senate Bill 3044, which would increase the number of directors on the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District board from five to seven so that the cities of Marfa and Presidio could each appoint a representative. Sponsor testimony said the municipalities rely heavily on groundwater resources but currently lack board representation.

The bill also would exempt the district from section 36.121 of the Texas Water Code — an exemption already granted to six other groundwater conservation districts — in order to allow the district to better monitor and regulate groundwater production and to provide permitting where needed, supporters said. Ty Embree, representing the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District, told the committee the cities want permit authority and board representation so the district can manage groundwater sustainability more effectively.

The committee took public testimony, heard explanation of the exemption rationale, and left SB 3044 pending subject to call of the chair.