AWBD Legislative Principles
80th Regular Session
2007

1. AWBD supports the efficient and effective daily operation of water districts. Water districts provide essential water, wastewater and drainage utility service to millions of Texans.
   
   
2. AWBD supports the conservation of the state's water resources. AWBD supports local control in implementing water conservation measures; AWBD opposes state mandates regarding water conservation. AWBD supports broader authority for water districts to implement mandatory water conservation measures for their customers.
   
   
3. AWBD supports the current legal relationship between municipalities and water districts. AWBD opposes any diminution of a district's right to be created or operate within the jurisdiction of a municipality.
   
   
4. AWBD supports the current legal relationship between counties and water districts. AWBD opposes any new authority of counties to regulate water districts or the development of property in a water district, except that AWBD supports the authority of counties to require within the boundaries of a water district: i) connection to a centralized water and sewer system, ii) that water, sewer, drainage and road facilities be designed and constructed to reasonable county standards, and iii) the provision of adequate fire suppression facilities.
   
   
5. AWBD supports the development of innovative systems to treat, reuse and recycle water. AWBD supports the existing rules and regulations for water reuse and recycling. AWBD opposes any new regulatory scheme that alters or limits the existing authority to reuse and recycle water.
   
   
6. AWBD supports the responsible oversight of water districts by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). AWBD supports efforts to ensure that all types of water districts are subject to TCEQ rules relating to the issuance and feasibility of bonds.
   
   
7. AWBD supports increasing the thresholds for the competitive bidding of contracts from $15,000 and $25,000 to $25,000 and $50,000, but not higher. AWBD opposes any increase in the threshold for change orders for construction contracts.
   
   
8. AWBD supports the financial independence of water districts. AWBD opposes any limitation on a water district's right to incur debt and levy taxes.
   
   
9. AWBD supports a water district's right to contract for tax collections. AWBD opposes any mandate to centralize the tax collection process or other forms of revenue caps. AWBD supports the existing truth in taxation laws.
   
   
10. AWBD supports the development of parks and recreational facilities by water districts. The establishment of parks and greenbelts are an important tool to conserve the state's natural resources.
    
    
11. AWBD supports funding of the State Water Plan with general revenues; however, AWBD opposes any new or increased fees or taxes on water for water development.
    
    
12. AWBD supports TCEQ user fees that are directly proportional to the costs of services to the districts utilizing the services.
    
    
13. AWBD opposes any further restrictions on the number of uniform elections dates.
    
    
14. AWBD opposes any legislation that would require consolidation of elections or would require out-of-district polling places.
    
    
15. AWBD supports legislation that would limit the required use of Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) systems to elections in local governments with more than 25,000 residents, provided that alternative methods of ensuring access to ballots are put in place.