HBA-CBW H.B. 3231 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3231
By: Morrison
Natural Resources
4/10/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



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 creates 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.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 corrects the spelling of the names of two
temporary board members. Committee Amendment No. 2 clarifies that the first
election of directors that occurs after the county commissioners precincts
are redrawn is an election of the district.