HBA-BSM H.B. 3095 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3095
By: Counts
Natural Resources
3/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Stonewall County contains several tributaries, including the Salt Croton
Creek, which flow into the Salt Fork of the Brazos River and serve as major
contributors to the salt content of the Brazos River.  The salt loads of
the creek come predominantly from seeps and springs in Stonewall and King
Counties.  Further studies of the area are needed to provide
recommendations for various methods to control salt intrusion and improve
water quality in the area.  The 76th Legislature in 1999 created the Salt
Fork Water Quality District to help address this problem.  The district is
not a taxing authority, and its main purpose has been to provide for a
governmental entity that can oversee the implementation of some feasibility
studies regarding the salt content in local creeks. 

Currently, there has been no other action taken by the district, and it has
become burdensome to require an election for a board of directors.  House
Bill 3095 authorizes the Salt Fork Water Quality District to operate with a
board appointed by the Commissioners Court of Stonewall County rather than
an elected board, and enter into intergovernmental contracts. 

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 3095 amends law to provide that the Salt Fork Water Quality
District board of directors is to be appointed by the Commissioners Court
of Stonewall County and repeals provisions regarding the election of
directors.  The bill sets forth provisions for the terms of the initial
directors.  The bill requires the Commissioners Court to appoint a director
at the expiration of a term, and if a vacancy occurs, the commissioners
court is required to appoint a director for the remainder of the term.  The
bill provides that a person must be a registered voter in Stonewall County
to be eligible to serve as a director.   

H.B. 3095 authorizes the district to enter into a specified agreement with
a state agency, political subdivision, of the state, or other governmental
entity for the purposes of the district without advertising, sealed bids,
or similar procedures.  The bill provides that these agreements may be for
an exchange of goods, services, or commodities, such as an exchange of
natural gas for salt, with or without cash payments, if the parties agree.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.