BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 635 By: Lewis, Ron April 3, 1995 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND The Jefferson County Water Control and Improvement District #10 ("WCID #10") requested annexation by the city of Nederland in 1949, 1955, and 1964. Each time the city denied the request. In 1958, the district developed its own water and wastewater service system. In 1984, the city of Nederland cited its intention to discontinue fire protection to the district. The district's water and wastewater operations within the district have consistently met federal and state regulations, while those within Nederland presently do not. It is estimated that the annexation of WCID #10 would bring a revenue of approximately $50,000 per year to the city of Nederland. There is little that the district would receive in return for providing this increased tax base to the city. PURPOSE The goal of this legislation is to prevent the annexation of Water Control and Improvement District #10 by the city of Nederland or any other entity. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 Amends Chapter 245, Acts of the 54th Legislature, by adding Section 3A that states that any and all territory within WCID #10 may not be annexed by any entity or municipality. SECTION 2 Emergency clause. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1 States that WCID #10 may be annexed if the annexation is approved by a majority of the voters voting in a single election held jointly in the municipality and the District for that purpose. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 635 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on February 28, 1995. The following persons testified in favor of the bill: Representative Ron Lewis; Lee Townsend, representing Water District #10 Citizens Against Annexation; and C. J. Freeman, representing the Jefferson County Water Control and Improvement District #10. The bill was referred to a subcommittee to be named later by the chair. On February 28, 1995, the chair named the following subcommittee members: Representatives Combs, Hilderbran, and Krusee. After being recalled from subcommittee, the bill was considered by the committee in a public hearing on March 28, 1995. The committee considered one amendment to the bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. The bill was reported favorably as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.