HBA-CBW H.B. 2643 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2643
By: Morrison
Natural Resources
4/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces a difficult challenge in developing water policies that serve
both state and regional interests. The Texas Constitution authorizes the
creation of groundwater conservation districts to plan, develop, and
regulate the use of water. House Bill 2643 creates the Crossroads
Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation
election, to manage Victoria County's groundwater resources.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2643 amends law to ratify the creation of the Crossroads
Groundwater Conservation District (district) in Victoria County, subject to
voter approval at a confirmation election.  

The bill provides that the district is governed by a board of seven
directors, sets forth provisions regarding the composition and
administration of the board and the election, qualifications, and terms of
the directors, and designates the temporary directors.  The bill prohibits
the district from levying or collecting an ad valorem tax at a rate that
exceeds two cents on each $100 valuation of taxable property in the
district. The bill sets forth provisions regarding an election to confirm
establishment of the district. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.