SRC-PNG C.S.S.B. 1755 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1755 76R11386 MI-DBy: Armbrister Natural Resources 4/8/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, under Texas law, the Edwards Aquifer Authority consists of single-member district lines based on census blocks. The existing district lines divide county voting precincts in seven of the Authority's eight counties, resulting in voter and election officials' confusion. This bill would modify district lines for the election of directors for the Edwards Aquifer Authority to prevent the splitting of county voting precincts. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1755 modifies district lines for the election of directors for the Edwards Aquifer Authority. 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 Article 8280-219, V.T.C.S., by adding Section 1.094, as follows: Sec. 1.094. MODIFICATION OF DISTRICT LINES AFTER DECENNIAL CENSUS. Authorizes the Edwards Aquifer Authority board of directors (board) to modify the district lines described in Section 1.093, after each federal decennial census, or as needed. Authorizes the board to modify the district lines described in Section 1.093, by order, to provide that the lines do not divide a county election precinct except as necessary to follow the Edwards Aquifer Authority's (authority) jurisdictional boundaries. Prohibits modifications under this section from violating the Federal Voting Rights Act, or increasing or decreasing the number of districts in any county. Prohibits a county election precinct established by a county in accordance with Chapter 42, Election Code, from containing territory from more than one authority district. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 1.094, Article 8280-219, V.T.C.S., to authorize the board to modify the district lines described in Section 1.093, after each federal decennial census, or as needed. Prohibits modifications under this section from violating the Federal Voting Rights Act, or increasing or decreasing the number of districts in any county.