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.