SRC-MWN H.B. 2855 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2855
77R10694 SGA-FBy: Kuempel (Wentworth)
Natural Resources
5/8/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The 76th Texas Legislature created the Southeast Trinity Groundwater
Conservation District (district) to protect the quality and use of the
Trinity Aquifer, but only granted the district limited authority. The
district was required to return to the legislature during the 77th session
to continue its existence and receive powers, duties and funding authority.
H.B. 2855 provides for the ratification of the creation of, and the
administration, powers, duties, operation, taxing authority, and financing
of, the Southeast Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the board of directors of the
Southwest Trinity Groundwater Conservation District in SECTION 5 of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. RATIFICATION OF CREATION. Sets forth provisions regarding the
creation of the Southwest Trinity Groundwater Conservation District
(district). 

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board," "commission," and "district."

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

SECTION 4. FINDINGS RELATIVE TO BOUNDARIES. Sets forth provisions regarding
findings relative to the boundaries of the district. 

SECTION 5. GENERAL POWERS. Sets forth provisions regarding the general
powers of the district. 

SECTION 6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Sets forth provisions regarding the board of
directors of the district. 

SECTION 7. METHOD OF ELECTING DIRECTORS. Sets forth provisions regarding
the election of district directors. 

SECTION 8. CONFIRMATION ELECTION AND ELECTION OF INITIAL DIRECTORS. Sects
forth provisions regarding the confirmation election and election of
initial directors of the district. 

SECTION 9. ELECTION OF REGULAR DIRECTORS. Sets forth provisions regarding
the election of regular directors. 

SECTION 10. COORDINATION. Authorizes the district to coordinate activities
with other groundwater districts. 

SECTION 11. MODIFICATION OF DISTRICT. Authorizes the district to be
modified only as prescribed by Chapter 36J, Water Code, or by subsequent
acts of the Texas Legislature. 
 
SECTION 12. FINDINGS RELATED TO PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS. Sets forth
provisions regarding findings related to procedural requirements of the
district. 

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVE DATE; EXPIRATION DATE. (a) Effective date: September
1, 2001. 

(b) Provides that if the district is not confirmed by the fourth
anniversary of the effective date of this Act, the district is dissolved on
that date, except that all debts incurred are required to be paid and the
organization of the district is required to be maintained until all debts
are paid.