HBA-TBM H.B. 3653 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3653 By: Ritter Transportation 67/25/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Sabine-Neches waterway serves all of Jefferson County, but prior to the 77th Legislature not all of the county was represented by the Jefferson County Navigation District. This lack of representation could have been deleterious to the Jefferson County Navigation District's efforts to remain competitive with other waterways in the state. It was proposed that restructuring the Jefferson County Navigation District to better represent the people of Jefferson County could be accomplished by merging the existing navigation district with a newly created district. Subject to a confirmation election by the population of Jefferson County, House Bill 3653 creates the Jefferson County Waterway and Navigation District and merges it with the Jefferson County Navigation District. 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 3653 creates the Jefferson County Waterway and Navigation District (district) subject to approval at a confirmation election (SECTION 1). The bill sets forth the boundaries and powers of the district (SECTIONS 3, 5, and 6). The bill provides that the district is governed by five navigation and canal commissioners appointed by the Jefferson County Commissioners Court and sets forth provisions regarding the qualifications, appointment, terms, and removal of the commissioners (SECTION 8 and 9). The bill authorizes the commissioners court at any time to call an election to confirm the establishment of the district, to approve the merger of the Jefferson County Navigation District with the district, and to approve the levy and collection of a maintenance and operations tax. The tax may not exceed 10 cents for each $100 valuation of taxable property in the district. The bill sets forth provisions regarding the procedure for the election (SECTION 10). The bill sets forth provisions relating to the merger of Jefferson County Navigation District with the district (SECTION 11). EFFECTIVE DATE June 17, 2001.