SB3044

The five existing county-appointed seats remain: two representing urban interests and three representing agricultural interests. Marfa’s and Presidio’s governing bodies each appoint one additional director. A vacancy is filled for the remaining term through the appointment method for that seat, and each appointing entity must name its successor director by the term’s end. The existing four-year terms are not replaced with a new term length. Final law; 1993 district act, section 6.

The act makes Water Code section 36.121 inapplicable to this district. That section otherwise exempts certain wells and water when several conditions align: the district was created under the groundwater-district chapter on or after September 1, 1991; the county population is no more than 15,500; the water solely supplies a municipality of no more than 125,500; and a nonmunicipal political subdivision or qualifying municipality held the water rights before the district was created. For municipal owners, the ownership condition also has a 133,000 population ceiling. The section also protects transport of that water inside or outside district boundaries. SB3044 removes this particular limitation for Presidio’s district; it does not repeal all well exemptions or every other limit on district regulation. Final law, section 1; Applicable exemption wording, section 280.

The act updates the special law’s terminology from “underground water” powers to “groundwater” powers and names the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as the supervising state agency. It also repeals section 6(e), the special act’s instruction that directors qualify under Water Code sections 51.078 and 51.079. This removes that particular cross-reference, not an express waiver of all generally applicable requirements for public office. Final law; Original section 6(e).

The introduced, Senate-report, engrossed, House-report and enrolled versions have identical operative provisions. The amendment index lists no floor amendments, and no conference report appears in the version history. Introduced bill; All versions; Amendment index; Final law.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

Marfa and Presidio gain direct appointment authority and representation on the district board, while the county retains its existing five appointments. The district can regulate without section 36.121’s special restriction, which may bring previously protected municipal-supply wells within ordinary district oversight. This is a change in legal authority, not proof of any particular new permit condition, pumping limit, charge or water-supply outcome. Other applicable groundwater laws still matter. Final law; Section 36.121 scope, section 280.

The sole posted fiscal note anticipates no significant state or local fiscal impact and assumes associated costs can be absorbed within existing resources. It does not calculate costs for individual well owners or promise a change in water bills. SB3044 does not amend the original act’s property-tax provision. Fiscal note; Final law; Original district act, section 9.