BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 921 By: Uher (Sponsor) Natural Resources 4-20-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Certain navigation districts are covered by Section 50.107, Texas Water Code, requiring approval of tax-supported bonds by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). An effect of this could require TNRCC to review harbor projects and approve the issuance of bonds for such projects which TNRCC staff is not established to do. According to the attorney general's office, it appears that current law does not reflect legislative intent that these types of projects be covered by Section 50.107, Texas Water Code, and applied to navigation districts. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 921 prohibits certain conservation and reclamation districts, other than a navigation district, from issuing bonds that will be paid by taxes levied by the district unless the Texas Water Commission determines that the project to be financed by the bonds is feasible and issues an order approving the bonds. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 50.107(a), Water Code, as follows: (a) Prohibits a conservation and reclamation district, other than a navigation district, created under Article XVI, Section 59, Texas Constitution, the boundaries of which include less than the total area of one county, from issuing bonds that will be paid wholly or partially by taxes levied by the district unless the Texas Water Commission determines that the project to be financed by the bonds is feasible and issues an order approving the bonds. Provides that this section does not apply to refunding bonds. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.