SRC-JJJ H.B. 3817 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3817
By: Kuempel (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

H.B. 3817 makes amendments to the original legislation creating the
Guadalupe CountyGroundwater Conservation District. This bill also sets out
the boundaries of the district, creates a fair funding mechanism and
clarifies the voting districts and temporary board members so that an
election can take place. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3817 establishes conditions regarding the boundaries,
confirmation election, administration, powers, duties, operation, and
financing of the Guadalupe County Groundwater Conservation District. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 3, Chapter 1066, Acts of the 75th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1997, to include the territory contained in the part of
Guadalupe County within specified boundaries of the Guadalupe County
Groundwater Conservation District (district).  

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 5(a), (c), and (d), Chapter 1066, Acts of
the75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to prohibit the district from
imposing a fee on a well used exclusively for domestic or livestock
watering purposes. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 3. Amends Section 6, Chapter 1066, Acts of the 75th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1997, by amending Subsection (a), and adding
Subsection(g), (h), and (i), to increase the number of directors on the
board of directors from five to seven, and specify that they are to be
elected from a single-member districts to be determined by the Guadalupe
County Commissioners Court. Prohibits a director from serving more than two
consecutive four-year terms. Provides that to be qualified to be elected as
a director, a person must be a registered voter in the single-member
district that the person represents. Provides that Section 36.059(b),Water
Code, does not apply to the district.  

SECTION 4. Amends Section 7, Chapter 1066, Acts of the 75th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1997, to modify the list of named temporary board members.
Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to appoint the
necessary number of persons to fill all vacancies on the board if at any
time there are fewer than four, rather than three, qualified temporary
directors.  

SECTION 5. Amends Sections 8(a) and (b), Chapter 1066, Acts of the 75th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, to provide for temporary director's to
run for an initial directors office. Makes conforming changes.  

SECTION 6. Amends Section 9(a), Chapter 1066, Acts of the 75th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1997, to make conforming changes.  

SECTION 7. States that all legal requirements for the notice, introduction,
and passage of this Act have been fulfilled and accomplished.  
 
SECTION 8. Emergency clause. 
  Effective date: upon passage.