Rep. Erin Zwiener unveils working group on data center concerns, more

Texas State House Rep. Erin Zwiener has established a working group with Hays County officials to tackle widespread community concerns stemming from multiple data center proposals within San Marcos and unincorporated areas of Hays County. The group, which includes Hays County Commissioners Debbie Ingalsbe and Morgan Hammer, and San Marcos City Council member Amanda Rodriguez, aims to clarify legal obligations and challenges faced by various local government entities, including special utility districts. Commissioner Ingalsbe, whose Precinct 1 encompasses all proposed data centers, highlighted the broader issue of development impacts, particularly concerning water availability. She noted that the county is revising its subdivision rules to strengthen water availability requirements and encourage rainwater harvesting and conservation development. Commissioner Hammer emphasized the critical state of the Trinity Aquifer, which supplies water to her Precinct 3, and stressed the need for sustainable development and greater county-level authority over environmental impacts. The working group's primary objective is to identify existing local tools to address data center and development concerns and to craft policy recommendations for the upcoming legislative session in January. Both commissioners expressed a desire for increased local control to protect water resources and manage development, a long-standing request that has lacked support at the state capitol. They hope Rep. Zwiener's involvement will lead to successful legislation, providing counties with more say in development placement and accountability measures. The group is expected to meet four to six times this year to formulate these recommendations, with the goal of developing solutions that can also benefit other communities across Texas facing similar challenges.