BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4621

By: Herrero

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Nueces County Drainage and Conservation District Number 2 provides crucial services that keep parts of Nueces County prepared against major flooding events. The district not only satisfies infrastructure needs for a growing community but also frequently partners with neighboring jurisdictions on drainage projects. To improve efficiency of operations and help maintain institutional knowledge, C.S.H.B. 4621, among other things, allows the district to increase its number of commissioners and increases the maximum monthly compensation for a commissioner.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4621 amends Chapter 520, Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961, to establish that the Nueces County Drainage and Conservation District Number 2 is governed by a board of three commissioners who serve staggered four-year terms. The bill authorizes the board by resolution adopted on a vote of a majority of the commissioners to expand the number of commissioners from three to five and provides for the transition to either number of commissioners. The bill increases from $500 to $1,600 the maximum monthly compensation for a commissioner and specifies that this amount does not include the value of benefits, including health care coverage, provided to the commissioners.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 4621 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute clarifies a provision in the original regarding the terms of the initial five-member board of commissioners. The substitute includes language not included in the original increasing from $500 to $1,600 the maximum monthly compensation for a commissioner.