SRC-JEC S.B. 1168 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 1168 By: Madla Intergovernmental Relations 6/15/2001 Enrolled DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, a county has the ability to assess taxes for the purpose of building flood control projects. However, there is no authority for a commissioners court to hold an election to raise the taxes for use in a specific project. S.B. 1168 grants counties the authority to conduct such an election. 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. Amends Chapter 411, Local Government Code, by adding Section 411.009, as follows: Sec. 411.009. REFERENDUM ON FLOOD CONTROL TAX AND PROJECTS FUNDED. (a) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county to order a referendum on whether flood control taxes should be increased, decreased, or an existing or proposed flood control project should receive funding. (b) Requires the ballot for a referendum under this section to be printed to permit voting for or against one or more of stated propositions. (c) Provides that if a majority of votes cast in the referendum approve an increase in the flood control tax, the tax is increased. Provides that the tax is decreased if a majority approve a decrease in the flood control tax. Provides that a flood control project for which a majority of the votes cast at the referendum do not approve funding is prohibited from receiving funds from revenue generated by the flood control tax. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.