JBM H.B. 2563 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS NATURAL RESOURCES H.B. 2563 By: Cook 4-2-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND In 1949, the 51st Legislature passed HB 162, which made possible the creation of groundwater conservation districts and the designation of "underground reservoirs" for the purpose of groundwater management. (The concept of "underground reservoirs" has since been modified to "underground water management area" by SB 1212, 71st Legislature.) This law was incorporated in the Water Code in 1971 as Chapter 52, Underground Water Conservation Districts. The law outlined the powers, duties, and responsibilities for district operations; provided procedures for elections and duties of boards of directors; and allowed procedures for annexation, consolidation, and dissolution of districts. Fifty-four groundwater conservation districts have been created within the state since 1951. Forty districts have been confirmed through local elections, seven districts have not held confirmation elections to date, five districts have failed confirmation elections and two districts have been abolished by the legislature. PURPOSE To require underground water conservation districts created by the 71st-73rd Legislature to hold a confirmation election within two years of the effective date of this Act. 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: Calls for the repeal of Acts by the 71st, 72nd, or 73rd Legislatures creating underground water conservation districts that have not been approved at a confirmation election on or before the second anniversary of the effective date of this Act; provides that such repeal takes effect on that second anniversary. SECTION 2: Provides that a district repealed under this Act has no further authority, except all debts must be paid and the organization of the district is maintained until all debts are paid. SECTION 3: Emergency clause.