SRC-MKV H.B. 2643 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2643
77R8179 SGA-FBy: Morrison (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces a difficult challenge in developing water policies that serve
both state and regional interests. The Texas Constitution authorizes the
creation of groundwater conservation districts to plan, develop, and
regulate the use of water. H.B. 2643 creates the Crossroads Groundwater
Conservation District, subject to approval at a confirmation election, to
manage Victoria County's groundwater resources.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  RATIFICATION OF CREATION.  Sets forth provisions relating to
the ratification of creation of the Crossroads Groundwater Conservation
District (district) in Victoria County. 

SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "board," "city council," "commissioners
court," and "district." 

SECTION 3.  BOUNDARIES.  Sets forth the boundaries of the district.

SECTION 4.  GENERAL POWERS.  Sets forth provisions relating to the general
powers of the district. 

SECTION 5.  DIRECTOR REQUIREMENTS.  Sets forth provisions relating to
requirements for a person to be a director of the district. 

SECTION 6.  TEMPORARY DIRECTORS.  Sets forth provisions relating to the
temporary directors of the district. 

SECTION 7.  CONFIRMATION ELECTION.  Sets forth provisions relating to the
confirmation election for the district. 

SECTION 8.  INITIAL DIRECTORS. Sets forth provisions relating to the
initial directors of the district. 

SECTION 9.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  Sets forth provisions relating to the
board of directors of the district. 

SECTION 10.  TERM OF OFFICE.  Sets forth provisions relating to the term of
office for a director. 

SECTION 11.  LIMITATION ON TAXATION.  Prohibits the district from levying
or collecting an ad valorem tax at a rate that exceeds two cents on each
$100 valuation of taxable property in the district. 

 SECTION 12.  FINDINGS RELATED TO PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS.  Sets forth
findings related to procedural requirements. 

SECTION 13.  EFFECTIVE DATE; EXPIRATION DATE.  (a) Effective date:
September 1, 2001. 
 
(b) Provides that if the creation of the district is not confirmed at a
confirmation election held under SECTION 7 of this Act before September 1,
2006, this Act expires on that date.