HBA-AMW, CBW H.B. 3652 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3652
By: Morrison
Natural Resources
7/19/2001
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 3652 creates the Lavaca 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 3652 establishes the Lavaca County Groundwater Conservation
District (district), subject to approval at a confirmation election.  The
bill sets forth the rights, powers, privileges, authority, functions, and
duties of the district.  The bill establishes that the district is governed
by a board of five directors and sets forth provisions regarding the
composition and administration of the board, the terms, qualifications, and
election of directors, and the names of the temporary directors.  The bill
also 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.