H.B. No. 5320 proposes significant changes to the governance and structure of the Starr County Drainage District, which will be renamed the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District. The bill outlines the dissolution of the existing Starr County Groundwater Conservation District and the transfer of its assets and liabilities to the newly formed district. It also establishes a new board of directors consisting of five members appointed by the Commissioners Court of Starr County, with specific representation requirements to ensure diverse interests, including agricultural, municipal, and industrial sectors.

Additionally, the bill grants the new district the authority to impose an ad valorem tax and outlines its powers and duties in accordance with state law. It repeals several provisions related to the previous groundwater conservation district and clarifies the relationship between the new district and other water-related entities. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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