    SPECIAL DISTRICT LOCAL LAWS CODE
    TITLE 6. WATER AND WASTEWATER
    SUBTITLE H. DISTRICTS GOVERNING GROUNDWATER
    CHAPTER 8866.  MID-EAST TEXAS GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
    SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
    Sec. 8866.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:(1)  "Board" means the district's board of directors.(2)  "Director" means a board member.(3)  "District" means the Mid-East Texas Groundwater Conservation District.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.002.  NATURE OF DISTRICT.  The district is a groundwater conservation district in Leon, Madison, and Freestone Counties created under and essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.003.  FINDINGS OF PUBLIC USE AND BENEFIT.  (a)  The district is created to serve a public use and benefit.(b)  All land and other property included in the district will benefit from the works and projects accomplished by the district under the powers conferred by Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.004.  DISTRICT TERRITORY.  The district's boundaries are coextensive with the boundaries of Leon, Madison, and Freestone Counties unless the district's territory has been modified under:(1)  Subchapter J or K, Chapter 36, Water Code; or(2)  other law.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    SUBCHAPTER B.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    Sec. 8866.051.  COMPOSITION OF BOARD; TERMS.  (a)  The district is governed by a board of nine directors.(b)  Directors serve staggered four-year terms.(c)  A director may serve consecutive terms.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.052.  APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS.  (a)  The Leon County Commissioners Court shall appoint three directors, of whom:(1)  one must represent the interests of municipalities in the county, or must be a director or employee of a rural water supply corporation in the county, or both;(2)  one must be a bona fide agricultural producer who derives a substantial portion of the producer's income from agriculture in the county; and(3)  one must represent active industrial interests in the county.(b)  The Madison County Commissioners Court shall appoint three directors, of whom:(1)  one must represent the interests of municipalities in the county, or must be a director or employee of a rural water supply corporation in the county, or both;(2)  one must be a bona fide agricultural producer who derives a substantial portion of the producer's income from agriculture in the county; and(3)  one must represent active industrial interests in the county.(c)  The Freestone County Commissioners Court shall appoint three directors, of whom:(1)  one must represent the interests of municipalities in the county, or must be a director or employee of a rural water supply corporation in the county, or both;(2)  one must be a bona fide agricultural producer who derives a substantial portion of the producer's income from agriculture in the county; and(3)  one must represent active industrial interests in the county.(d)  On January 1 of each even-numbered year, the appropriate commissioners courts shall appoint the appropriate number of directors.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.053.  BOARD VACANCY.  If there is a vacancy on the board, the commissioners court that appointed the director who vacated the office shall appoint a director to serve the remainder of the term.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.054.  COMPENSATION; EXPENSES.  (a)  A director is not entitled to receive compensation for serving as a director.(b)  A director may be reimbursed for actual, reasonable expenses incurred in discharging official duties.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.055.  VOTE REQUIRED FOR BOARD ACTION.  A majority vote of a quorum of the board is required for board action.  If there is a tie vote, the proposed action fails.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    SUBCHAPTER C.  POWERS AND DUTIES
    Sec. 8866.101.  GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT POWERS AND DUTIES.  Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the district has the rights, powers, privileges, functions, and duties provided by the general law of this state, including Chapter 36, Water Code, applicable to groundwater conservation districts created under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.102.  GROUNDWATER WELLS UNDER JURISDICTION OF RAILROAD COMMISSION.  (a)  In this section, "railroad commission" means the Railroad Commission of Texas.(b)  A groundwater well drilled or operated in the district under a permit issued by the railroad commission is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the railroad commission and is exempt from regulation by the district.(c)  Groundwater produced in an amount authorized by a railroad commission permit may be used in or exported from the district without a permit from the district.(d)  To the extent groundwater production exceeds railroad commission authorization, the holder of the railroad commission permit:(1)  must apply to the district for the appropriate permit for the excess production; and(2)  is subject to the applicable regulatory fees.(e)  Groundwater produced from a well under the jurisdiction of the railroad commission is generally exempt from water district fees.  However, the district may impose either a pumping fee or an export fee on groundwater produced from an otherwise exempt mine well that is used for municipal purposes or by a public utility.  A fee imposed by the district under this subsection may not exceed the fee imposed on other groundwater producers in the district.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.103.  LIMITATION ON POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN.  The district does not have the authority granted by Section 36.105, Water Code, relating to eminent domain.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    SUBCHAPTER D.  GENERAL FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
    Sec. 8866.151.  FEES.  (a)  The board by rule may impose a reasonable fee on each well that is not exempt from regulation by the district and for which a permit is issued by the district.  The fee may be based on:(1)  the size of column pipe used by the well; or(2)  the actual, authorized, or anticipated amount of water to be withdrawn from the well.(b)  Fees may not exceed:(1)  25 cents per acre-foot for water used for irrigating agricultural crops; or(2)  17 cents per thousand gallons for water used for any other purpose.(c)  In addition to the fee authorized under Subsection (a), the district may impose a reasonable fee or surcharge for an export fee using one of the following methods:(1)  a fee negotiated between the district and the transporter; or(2)  a combined production and export fee not to exceed 17 cents per thousand gallons of water used.(d)  Fees authorized by this section may be:(1)  assessed annually; and(2)  used to pay the cost of operating the district.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.

    Sec. 8866.152.  LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE TAXES.  The district does not have the authority granted by Sections 36.020 and 36.201-36.204, Water Code, relating to taxes.
    Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (S.B. 1026), Sec. 1.05, eff. April 1, 2015.