BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1480
                                            By: Patterson (Lucio)
                                                            Water
                                                         05-04-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Section 201.152 of the Agriculture Code authorizes a county to
contribute funds to a soil and water conservation district to match
all or part of the funds received from the state for use in soil
conservation and flood control programs.  Some counties and other
political subdivisions have misinterpreted this code to mean that
they may not contribute funds to water and soil conservation
districts unless there are state funds available to match their
donations.  This has kept some political subdivisions from
contributing available funds to soil conservation flood control
programs.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1480 authorizes a county, city, water control and
improvement district, drainage district, or other political
subdivision to contribute funds to a soil and water conservation
district.

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 201.152(c), Agriculture Code, to
authorize a county, city, water control and improvement district,
drainage district, or other political subdivision (political
subdivision) to contribute funds to a soil and water conservation
district (district) for a purpose authorized by this chapter or for
the exercise of any power or duty conferred on a district that will
benefit the contributing district or political subdivision. 
Authorizes all or part of the funds contributed by a political
subdivision to a district to be used by the district to match funds
received from the state.  

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.