SRC-MKV H.B. 3653 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3653
77R4004 MI-FBy: Ritter (Bernsen)
Natural Resources
5/9/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Sabine-Neches waterway serves all of Jefferson County, but
not all of the county is represented by the Jefferson County Navigation
District. This lack of representation could prove deleterious to the
Jefferson County Navigation District's efforts to remain competitive with
other waterways in the state. Restructuring the Jefferson County Navigation
District to better represent the people of Jefferson County may be
accomplished by merging the existing navigation district with a newly
created district. Subject to a confirmation election by the population of
Jefferson County, H.B. 3653 creates the Jefferson County Waterway and
Navigation District and merges it with the Jefferson County Navigation
District.  

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.  CREATION.  Sets forth provisions relating to the creation of
the Jefferson County Waterway and Navigation District (district). 

SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "commissioners court" and "district."

SECTION 3.  BOUNDARIES.  Provides that the boundaries of the district are
coextensive with the boundaries of Jefferson County, Texas. 

SECTION 4.  FINDING OF BENEFIT.  Sets forth provisions relating to finding
of benefit. 

SECTION 5.  GENERAL POWERS.  Sets forth provisions relating to the rights,
powers, privileges, authority, functions, and duties of the district. 

SECTION 6.  ADDITIONAL POWERS.  Sets forth certain additional powers
granted to the district. 

SECTION 7.  RELATIONSHIP OF DISTRICT TO EXISTING DISTRICTS IN AREA.  Sets
forth provisions relating to the relationship of the district to existing
districts in the area regarding the district's powers and its authority to
contract with the other districts for joint projects. 

SECTION 8.  NAVIGATION AND CANAL COMMISSION.  Sets forth provisions
relating to the navigation and canal commission.  

SECTION 9.  APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS.   Sets forth provisions relating
to the appointment of commissioners to the navigation and canal commission. 

SECTION 10.  CONFIRMATION ELECTION.  Sets forth provisions relating to the
confirmation election for the district. 
 
SECTION 11.  MERGER.  Sets forth provisions relating to the merger of the
Jefferson County Navigation District and the district. 


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

SECTION 13.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1,
2001.