BLS H.B. 3574 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


NATURAL RESOURCES
H.B. 3574
By: Lewis, Ron
4-30-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Jefferson County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10 (District)
was created by an Act of the Texas Legislature in 1955.  It was created to
serve approximately 300 families on 333 acres.  Upon the completion of a
current project, the District will be serving approximately 1,262 acres. 

There are five elected Directors who supervise the District.  They
currently serve staggered twoyear terms.  Elections are held in both
even-numbered and odd-numbered years. 

Chapter 49 of the Water Code, which governs the District's operations,
underwent several changes in the 74th Legislative Session.  The provisions
of the code allow the District to establish two-year terms for its
directors, but the election dates are to be uniform and may not be held in
odd-numbered years.  This has made it impossible for the District to have
staggered terms.  In an attempt to comply with the goal of uniformity
among districts, the District wishes to convert to four-year terms with
elections to be held in even-numbered years. 

PURPOSE

To amend the District's creation language in order to comply with the
general provisions of the Water Code.  

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.  Amends Section 4, Chapter 245, Acts of the 54th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1955, to state that the District shall hold elections for
its Directors in May of even-numbered years and that the Directors shall
serve staggered four-year terms. 

SECTION 2. 
 (a)  Provides that the Board serving on September 1, 1997 shall, serve
until the directors  elected in the May 1998 election take office; 
 (b)  Provides that there shall be an election on May 2, 1998 to elect
five directors, after  which they are to draw lots to determine which two
directors are to serve two-year terms  and which three directors are to
serve four-year terms; successor directors will serve  staggered four-year
terms according to the provisions of the District's creation language. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.