SRC-JBJ S.B. 1890 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1890
76R14044 MI-FBy: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
4/29/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Maverick County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1
serves an area where the voting eligibility depends upon, among other
things, whether a person lives within the district, or whether a person
lives within the district and the city limits of the district.  If a person
lives within the city limits, the person is prohibited from voting in a
district election, although the person may have irrigable land within the
district and must pay taxes to the district.  Moreover, another individual
may live within the district and may not own irrigation land within the
district boundaries, but does have the ability to vote in the election.
S.B. 1890 would allow the person who lives in the city limits to vote in a
district election and prohibit the person who does not receive any services
from the district from voting in the election. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1890 amends the voter eligibility for the Maverick County
Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. 

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 Chapter 51E, Water Code, by adding Section 51.221, as
follows: 

Sec. 51.221.  ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE:  MAVERICK COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1.  Defines "district."  Sets forth individuals
who are eligible to vote in an election conducted by the Maverick County
Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (district).  Requires an
eligible person to register with the district by a certain date.  Requires
the district to file with the county clerk of Maverick County a list of the
district's registered voters, by a certain date. 

SECTION 2.  Makes a person who is not eligible to vote on January 1, 2000
in a district election not liable for any tax imposed by the district on or
after January 1, 2000.  Provides that the person continues to be liable for
the payment of any tax and pro rata share of any district debt imposed or
existing before that date.   

SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.