A proposed house bill could call for five groundwater conservation districts (GCD) spread across Hays, Blanco, Burnet, Comal and Kendall Counties to merge into a single aquifer management entity.

But concerns are rising that the legislation filed by State Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) has resurfaced debate over state versus local control.

Isaac’s bill, HB 3677, would create the Heart of Texas Aquifer District (HOTAD), which would span the five county area and include the Hays Trinity...