2011 AWBD Legislative Principles

2011 AWBD Legislative Principles
82nd REGULAR SESSION

AWBD supports the efficient and effective daily operation of water districts. Water districts provide essential water, wastewater and drainage utility service and other services to millions of Texans.

AWBD supports statutory and/or regulatory revisions to improve the disaster preparedness of all wholesale and retail water and sewer providers, including water districts. AWBD supports the findings and recommendations of the Report of the AWBD Disaster Preparedness Committee, the Executive Summary of which is attached hereto.

AWBD supports legislation that would allow flexibility for emergency borrowing from local or federal financial institutions to fund disaster relief expenditures.

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.

AWBD supports the current legal relationship between municipalities and water districts. AWBD opposes any diminution of a water district’s right to be created or operate within the jurisdiction of a municipality.

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.

AWBD opposes legislation that would allow nontaxable users, including independent school districts, to avoid paying water district charges and fees, including charges and fees for construction, installation, or inspection of a tap or connection to district facilities.

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.

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.

AWBD supports the financial independence of water districts. AWBD opposes any limitation on a water district’s right to incur debt and levy taxes, or to levy water and sanitary sewer rates and charges necessary to provide such service and to provide other statutorily authorized services..

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 for water districts.

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.

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.

AWBD supports TCEQ user fees that are directly proportional to the costs of services to the water districts utilizing the services.

AWBD opposes any legislation that would require consolidation of elections or would require out-of-district polling places.

AWBD supports legislation that would eliminate or reduce the requirement to use Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) systems for water district elections.

AWBD opposes any legislation that would reduce or limit the governmental immunity of water districts; provided, however that AWBD supports the ability of water districts and third parties, including other local governments, to contract with each other and enforce such contracts.