HBA-CMT S.B. 1168 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1168 By: Madla Ways & Means 5/3/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, counties have the ability to assess taxes for the purpose of building flood control projects. However, there is no legal authority for the commissioners court of a county to place before the voters a proposition that would raise these flood control taxes for use in a specific project. Senate Bill 1168 grants the commissioners court of a county this authority. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 1168 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county to order a referendum on whether flood control taxes should be increased or decreased, or whether an existing or proposed flood control project should receive funding. The bill sets forth the ballot propositions for such a referendum and provides for the increase or decrease of a flood control tax according to majority vote. The bill prohibits a flood control project for which a majority of the votes cast at the referendum do not approve funding from receiving funds generated by the flood control tax. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.