SPECIAL DISTRICT LOCAL LAWS CODE

TITLE 6. WATER AND WASTEWATER

SUBTITLE X. DISTRICTS WITH COMBINED POWERS

CHAPTER 11022.  STARR COUNTY DRAINAGE AND GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 11022.0101.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Board" means the district's board of directors.
(2)  "Director" means a member of the board.
(3)  "District" means the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 11022.0102.  NATURE OF DISTRICT.  The district is a drainage and groundwater conservation district created in Starr County under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 11022.0103.  FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PURPOSE.  (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 that are to be accomplished by the district under powers conferred by Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
(c)  The district is essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 11022.0104.  DISTRICT TERRITORY.  The district territory is coextensive with the boundaries of Starr County, Texas.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

SUBCHAPTER B.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sec. 11022.0201.  DIRECTORS.  The district is governed by a board of five directors appointed by the Commissioners Court of Starr County as follows:
(1)  one director who is a bona fide agricultural producer for whom a substantial portion of the person's income is derived from conducting agricultural business in the district;
(2)  one director who is an employee of a rural water supply entity in the district; 
(3)  one director who represents municipal interests in the district;
(4)  one director who represents active industrial interests in the district; and
(5)  one director who represents Starr County at large.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

SUBCHAPTER C.  POWERS, DUTIES, AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 11022.0301.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The district has all rights, powers, privileges, functions, and duties provided by the general law of this state applicable to a drainage district created under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, including Chapters 36, 49, and 56, Water Code.
(b)  The district may impose an ad valorem tax as provided by Chapter 49, Water Code.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 11022.0302.  UTILITY PROPERTY EXEMPTION FROM IMPACT FEES, STANDBY FEES, AND ASSESSMENTS.  The district may not impose an impact fee, standby fee, or assessment on the property, including the equipment, rights-of-way, easements, facilities, or improvements, of:
(1)  an electric utility or a power generation company as defined by Section 31.002, Utilities Code;
(2)  a gas utility as defined by Section 101.003 or 121.001, Utilities Code;
(3)  a telecommunications provider as defined by Section 51.002, Utilities Code; or
(4)  a person who provides to the public cable television or advanced telecommunications services.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 353 (H.B. 1178), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Special District Local Laws Code, Chapter 6606 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 11022.0303.  POWER TO CONTRACT WITH MUNICIPALITIES.  The district may enter into a contract with a municipality to assume the functions of the municipality's municipally owned utility.  A contract under this section may include provisions for the district's:
(1)  assumption of the debts, liabilities, and obligations of the municipally owned utility;
(2)  ownership or use of the assets and facilities of the municipally owned utility; and
(3)  performance of the functions and services previously provided by the municipally owned utility.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 451 (S.B. 1848), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2005.
Transferred and redesignated from Special District Local Laws Code, Section 8803.103 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 11022.0304.  RELATION TO OTHER WATER-RELATED ENTITIES.  (a)  To the extent that a rule of the district conflicts with a rule of the regional water authority, the rule of the authority controls.
(b)  To the extent that a rule of the district conflicts with an action of a municipally owned utility or water supply or sewer service corporation whose certificated area is located wholly or partly in the district's territory, the action of the utility or corporation controls.
(c)  Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b), to the extent that a rule of the district concerning groundwater conflicts with a rule of the regional water authority or with an action of a municipally owned utility or water supply or sewer service corporation whose certificated area is located wholly or partly in the district's territory, the rule of the district controls.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 451 (S.B. 1848), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2005.
Transferred and redesignated from Special District Local Laws Code, Section 8803.104 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (H.B. 5320), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.