Texas Senate Bill SB 3058

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 4/22/25
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/5/25
• Voted on by Senate: 5/14/25
• Out of House Committee: 5/24/25

Caption

Relating to certain improvements made and programs developed by the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District.

Summary

SB 3058 authorizes the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District to use certain export fee revenue for two related purposes, but only through an agreement with a county approved by a majority of the district board and renewed annually. First, the district may fund improvements to county roads when those roads are needed for district staff to inspect wells that are registered, permitted, or monitored by the district. Second, the district may use the funds to develop environmental programs and infrastructure related to groundwater within the district. The bill also amends the district’s fee statute to expressly allow export fees to be used not only for annual assessment and district operating costs, but also for the road, environmental, and infrastructure purposes described in the new section. The act takes effect September 1, 2025, and is limited to this specific groundwater conservation district rather than applying statewide.

Impact

SB 3058 changes the Special District Local Laws Code as it applies to the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District by expanding the authorized uses of export fee revenue. It creates a new statutory mechanism for county-district agreements and permits fee proceeds to support road improvements tied to well inspection access, as well as groundwater-related environmental programs and infrastructure. The bill affects the district, participating counties, and the ratepayers or fee payers whose export fees fund these activities.

Sentiment

The available legislative history suggests the bill moved without recorded opposition in the provided vote data, and there is no committee transcript indicating controversy. Its placement on the General State Calendar and progression through third reading indicate it was treated as a routine local-government and water-management measure. Overall, the sentiment appears neutral to favorable, with the bill framed as a practical tool for district operations and infrastructure support.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the use of export fees for purposes beyond direct district operations, especially for county road improvements and environmental infrastructure. Supporters would likely view these expenditures as necessary to facilitate well inspections and groundwater management, while critics could question whether fee revenue should be diverted to road work or broader environmental programs. Another possible issue is the requirement for annual county agreements, which could raise questions about local control, accountability, and ongoing funding commitments.