San Jacinto River Authority undergoes Sunset Review: What you need to know

I hope everyone has had a safe start to their summer and enjoying their time with family and friends. We are inching closer to the half of the year, which means the next Legislative Session that begins in January 2021 is on the horizon. While no interim committees have been scheduled to meet since the start of COVID-19 restrictions, my office is always working diligently to prepare ideas that will make District 16 and Texas an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

Over the years, the San Jacinto River Authority has become a problem that my office consistently hears about in our district. Since I have taken office, a large number of constituents have contacted me over their dissatisfaction with the operation of the San Jacinto River Authority. You may have been one of these constituents who has contacted me in the past regarding the “temporary” Lake Conroe lowering policy, exorbitant fees on our water bills, or the overall lack of communication and public responsiveness, just to name a few. Please know that I understand your frustrations. As you know, the SJRA is governed by a board of directors who are appointed by the Governor. SJRA was created in 1937 by the Texas Legislature and is tasked with conserving, developing and protecting the water resources of the San Jacinto River basin.

Luckily for those of us who live within the San Jacinto River basin, SJRA is up for sunset review for the 2019-2021 cycle, meaning the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission staff will evaluate the agency and issue recommendations for positive change. The Commission then considers the recommendations, hears public testimony, and decides on a package of changes to bring to the full Legislature for the next legislative session which begins in 2021. It is my understanding that SJRA’s public hearing has been tentatively set for December 9th to December 10th of this year. It would be very beneficial for the Sunset Commission to hear your voices at this public testimony.  However, you can also act NOW through July 31, 2020 for your voices to be heard by the Sunset Commission prior to the public testimony in December.  You can simply go online and share your input prior to the public hearing at https://www.sunset.texas.gov/input-form and select the San Jacinto River Authority as the agency you would like to provide input about. You may also send an email with your comments to sunset@sunset.texas.gov, send a letter to Sunset Advisory Commission, Attn: SJRA, P.O. Box 13066, Austin, Texas 78711 or call the sunset commission at 512-463-1300.

I highly encourage everyone who has had concerns with the management of SJRA in the past to participate in this process. Now is the time to act so that the Sunset Commission can recommend positive changes that will make this agency more transparent, efficient, and accountable to We the People. My office is continually looking into ways that we can reign in SJRA management legislatively. Until then, please share your input with the Sunset Commission and consider attending the public hearing.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing each of you in our great community before I return to Austin for a busy Legislative Session. As always, please let me know if there is anything I can do to be of service. It is an honor to serve as your State Representative.

May God bless you, your family, and the great State of Texas!