HBA-AMW, CBW H.B. 3651 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3651
By: Morrison
Natural Resources
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces a difficult challenge in developing water policies that serve
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 3651 creates the Goliad County
Groundwater Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation
election. 

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 3651 establishes the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation
District (district), subject to approval at a confirmation election.  The
bill sets forth provisions regarding the rights, powers, privileges,
authority, functions, and duties of the district. 

The bill establishes that the district is governed by a board of seven
directors and sets forth provisions regarding the administration of the
board and the terms, qualifications, and election of directors as well as
the names of the temporary directors.   The bill sets forth provisions
regarding regional cooperation between the district, other groundwater
conservation districts, and governmental entities.  The bill prohibits the
district from imposing an ad valorem tax at a rate that exceeds five cents
on each $100 valuation of taxable property in the district.  The bill sets
forth provisions for a confirmation election and provides that if the
creation of the district is not confirmed at such an election held before
September 1, 2006, the Act expires on that date. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.