BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 3230
By: Thompson
5-3-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND
The Tidwell Timbers Municipal Utility District, Greenwood Utility
District and Parkway Municipal Utility District each are working
toward obtaining surface water supplies.  The Greenwood and Parkway
districts would have to spend several thousand dollars to build a
dedicated surface water supply line unless some method of
cooperation between the three districts can allow them to utilize
the existing interconnected lines.  A simple contract will not
provide that mechanism because the districts take different amounts
of water and at different rates.  Creation of a water authority
would allow the authority to act as a contracting agent for all
three districts.

PURPOSE
To create the TGP Water Authority.

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. Creates the TGP Water Authority under the provisions of
Article XVI, Section 59, Texas Constitution.

Section 2. Defines "authority," "board," and "person."

Section 3. Provides for the boundaries of the authority to include
the land in the Tidwell Timbers, Greenwood and Parkway Municipal
Utility Districts.

Section 4. Statement of finding of benefit.

Section 5. Provides for the general powers and duties of the
authority by reference to certain subchapters of Chapter 54, Water
Code.  Also provides for the authority to obtain water supplies and
property, contracting authority, and authority to obtain water
rights.  Does not require a confirmation election.

Section 6. Allows the Authority to adopt a water conservation
program.

Section 7. Allows for exclusion of a political subdivision from the
Authority.

Section 8. Allows addition or annexation of land into the
Authority.  Provides for petition by the political subdivision to
be added and the permission of the City of Houston before addition
can occur.

Section 9. Prohibits assessment or levy of taxes by the Authority.

Section 10. Provides for the initial board of directors of 9
members by appointment by the member political subdivisions.

Section 11. Provides for a permanent board of directors with
staggered terms of three years.  Also provides for election of
officers, quorum, and filling vacancies.  Requires positive vote by
majority of the membership, including at least one positive vote
from a representative of each member district, to take any action.

Section 12. Allows the Authority to hire employees as necessary.

Section 13. Provides for general financial authority, including
reimbursement for organization expenses, loans, investments, and
fees for services.

Section 14. Allows the Authority to issue revenue bonds in
accordance with Article 717k-6, V.T.C.S. (Bond Procedures Act of
1981).

Section 15. Allows the Authority to build necessary facilities;
provides for the power of eminent domain in accordance with Chapter
21, Property Code.

Section 16. Provides for offices and meeting places for the
Authority.

Section 17. Emergency Clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The Substitute is a Legislative Council redraft of the original
bill, for the purpose of "cleaning up" the bill. The Substitute
adds a new Section 4, "Finding of Benefit," and renumbers the
subsequent Sections. The Substitute additionally has "clean up"
language in Subsections; 5, 11, 14, and 15, which do not alter the
meaning of these sections.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION
H.B.3230 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on May
3, 1995.
No testimony was received.
The committee considered a complete substitute for the bill.  The
substitute was adopted without objection.
The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the
Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 8
ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.