HBA-CBW H.B. 3231 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3231 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 3231 creates the DeWitt County Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation election, to manage DeWitt 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 3231 amends law to create the DeWitt County Groundwater Conservation District (district), in DeWitt County, subject to approval at a confirmation election (SECTION 1). The bill provides that the district is governed by a board of five directors (board), sets forth provisions regarding the election, qualifications, and terms of the directors, and designates the temporary directors. The bill sets forth provisions regarding an election to confirm the establishment of the district. (SECTIONS 6 - 11). The bill sets forth the general powers of the district and prohibits the board from imposing an ad valorem tax at a rate that exceeds five cents on each $100 valuation of taxable property in the district (SECTIONS 5 and 12). EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.