Water Users Coalition

Giving Water Districts a Stronger Voice! Actively advancing ideas and concerns of our members.

AWBD – HB 424

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If you would like to print out a copy of  the AWBD memo please click the following link:
AWBD – HB 424

April 4, 2017

Dear Water Users Coalition Member,

Please take the time to read this very important information sent out by AWBD. Also consider contacting the list of State House members on the House Land and Resource Committee and voice your concerns about House Bill 424.  

Best Regards,

Jerry Homan

Dear AWBD Member,
 
As you are aware, in 2015 the 84th Legislature considered several bills which would have prohibited or a least undermined certain districts’ ability to enter into strategic partnership agreements (SPAs) with area cities. This theme is continuing in the current 85th Legislative Session.
 
Several of these bills are set to be heard at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in the House Land and Resource Management Committee. One of these bills is Representative Dan Huberty’s House Bill 424, which prohibits new SPAs executed after September 1, 2017, including limited purposes annexations (the mechanism that allows for sales tax sharing) that many of our member districts enjoy.  While this and similar measures being considered on Wednesday will not affect existing SPAs, they will prevent your district from extending the term of your SPA and any new district from reaping the same benefits of an SPA that many of you have enjoyed.
 
Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, it is important the members of the House Land and Resources Committee hear from you regarding your opposition to House Bill 424 and any other bills being heard before the Committee on Wednesday that prohibit new SPAs or impair your district’s ability to renew the term of its SPA. Please call or email the following members and voice your concern to any bills that prohibit new SPA or limit the ability of existing districts to extend the term of their existing SPAs.
 
This is a unique opportunity to directly inform members of the Legislature on an important area for improvement. AWBD is dedicated to preserving the benefits of SPAs which have helped many of our members provide high quality facilities and services while continuing to lower tax rates.
 
House Land & Resource Committee Members are as follows:
 
The Honorable Abel Herrero, Chair
Email:  abel.herrero@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0462
 
The Honorable Cecil Bell, Jr.
Email:  cecil.bell@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0650
 
The Honorable Ernest Bailes
Email:  ernest.bailes@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0570
 
The Honorable César José Blanco
Email:  cesar.blanco@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0622
 
The Honorable Wayne Faircloth
Email:  wayne.faircloth@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0502
 
The Honorable Matt Krause
Email:  Matt.krause@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0562
 
The Honorable Lynn Stucky
Email:  lynn.stucky@house.texas.gov
Phone:  (512) 463-0582
 
Sincerely,
 
The AWBD Legislative Committee

Giving Water Districts a Stronger Voice!

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Greetings,
On February 8, 2017, on behalf of the Water Users Coalition, a Resolution of Support for AWBD Principle No. 10, with approximately 400 signatures of elected officials was presented to the AWBD Board of Trustees.

Association of Water Board Directors – Texas, Legislative Principle No. 10. 85th Regular Session 2017

AWBD opposes any effort to shift responsibility of maintenance for roads or related facilities, including storm sewers located within the road right of ways or within related easements dedicated to the public or a county, from counties to water districts.

The Resolution of Support for AWBD Principle No. 10 was promulgated to emphasize, to the AWBD Board of Trustees, the importance of this issue to the AWBD membership and to also educate the members of AWBD about this issue. Several members of the Water Users Coalition and many others were excited to sign this resolution of support at the AWBD, Austin Convention. The overwhelming majority of the elected officials we spoke with were very happy to see this effort being led by the Water Users Coalition, which is made up of primarily AWBD members.
Thank you to all of our fellow MUD directors for your continued support!

Jerry Homan
Advisory Council, Water Users Coalition 

Actively advancing ideas and concerns of our members