Zwiener bills address water resources of Hays, Blanco

The first four bills authored by Texas House District 45 Rep. Erin Zwiener focus on water resources and the character of Hays and Blanco counties.

Zwiener’s House Bill 1044 relates to permits for injection wells that transect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer. The bill would put measures in place to protect native groundwater from contamination and add terms for the injection of fresh water into a well transecting the Edwards Aquifer. Zwiener filed the bill on Jan. 24.

House Bill 1304, which Zwiener filed on Feb. 1, allows the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District to collect a production fee, giving the district a more stable source of funding. Currently, Zwiener’s office said in a press release, the district can only levy fees on new development.

“The Hill Country is iconic for its limestone springs, streams, and rivers,” Zwiener said in a press release. “As our community continues to grow, our groundwater districts need the tools to manage our water resources effectively and protect both private wells and our beautiful waterways.”

HB 1304 also strives to prevent aquifer contamination by authorizing the groundwater conservation district to establish more uniform well construction standards.

Also on Feb. 1, Zwiener filed HB 1303, the Hill Country Scenic Highways Bill, which adds several roads in Hays County to a list of roadways where billboards are prohibited. The bill prevents the placement of billboards on Ranch to Market Roads 1826, 150 and 967.

“Western Hays County is growing fast, but folks visit and move here because of the beautiful scenery,” Zwiener said in a press release. “We must protect our tourism, our property values, and our beautiful views.”

The state’s Transportation Code already prohibits commercial signs along several roadways throughout the state, including U.S. Highway 290 between Austin and Fredericksburg, U.S. Highway 281 between the southern boundary of Comal County and State Highway 306, State Highway 21 between College Station and U.S. 290, and Farm to Market Road 3238 between State Highway 71 “and any extension of that road through Hays and Blanco counties.” Billboards are also prohibited on highways located within the Sabine, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston national forests, and highways that are part of the state system in Bandera County.

Zwiener’s fourth bill honors the Wimberley Lions Club for its 50th anniversary. House Bill 124, filed on Jan. 30, honors the club and notes its philanthropic work, including funds raised for Habitat for Humanity, the Lions Camp and Kerrville, scholarships, vision services, Blue Hole Regional Park, Jacob’s Well Natural Area and local emergency services.